Climate change’s impact grows as concern levels off, survey finds

As leaders from the business, policy and civil society sectors gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, this week for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), GlobeScan’s latest Radar global public opinion research reveals a stark trend: The percentage of people who feel personally affected by climate change has steadily increased since 2020. Currently, 45 percent of respondents across 26 tracked markets report being greatly affected, marking a 14-point increase over the past four years. We are reaching a critical juncture in the public perception of the climate crisis, with nearly half of the global population feeling its direct impact.

At the same time, although a global majority (61 percent) views climate change as a “very serious” issue, concern remains mostly flat or slightly down since 2020. Among the 31 countries and territories surveyed, declines in concern about climate change have been most acute in Türkiye (8-point decline), Canada (6-point decline), Nigeria (6-point decline), Hong Kong (5-point decline) and Japan (5-point decline). This suggests that although climate impacts are increasingly felt, this experience does not automatically translate into a corresponding rise in concern or urgency.

What does this mean?

Climate-related disruptions may increasingly become the “new normal.” Competing worries (from economic challenges to geopolitical instability), climate fatigue, psychological distance and a perception of limited effectiveness in tackling climate change can dampen the drive for greater concern. Instead, people may shift their focus toward adaptation, managing the impacts they experience rather than advocating for ambitious, long-term mitigation.

In this context, companies and policymakers may want to design adaptation measures that also contribute to reducing emissions, and vice versa. By looking at mitigation and adaptation as complementary strategies, businesses and governments can address the immediate needs of increasingly affected populations while still working toward long-term climate goals.

Based on a largely representative online survey of over 30,000 people across 31 countries and territories, Radar draws upon GlobeScan’s unique database of over two decades of polling public opinion about people’s outlook toward societal actors and the issues affecting them.

Survey questions: For each of the following possible global problems, please indicate if you see it as a very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not at all serious problem – Climate change or global warming; How much are you personally affected by each of the following? – Climate change or global warming

Surveyed countries and territories include: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

Source: GlobeScan Radar Trends Report (survey of 30,216 people in the general public in July-August 2024)