Five Insights from the UN’s Climate Mega-Poll

Five Insights from the UN’s Climate Mega-Poll

A comprehensive UN survey reveals widespread global concern about climate change, highlighting the urgent need for governmental action to reduce emissions and mitigate extreme weather impacts. The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024, involving over 75,000 respondents from 77 countries, provides valuable insights into public opinion on climate issues.

Cassie Flynn, the climate lead for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), emphasized that the survey results are “undeniable evidence that people everywhere support bold climate action.”

1. Climate Change: A Global Concern

The survey dispels the myth that climate change is only a concern for the wealthy. In Uganda, nearly two-thirds of people think about climate change daily, compared to less than one-third in countries like the US, Japan, and China. Ugandan climate activist Hamira Kobusingye highlighted the direct impact of climate change on food security in her country.

2. Saudi Arabia’s Positive View on Climate Action

Interestingly, Saudi Arabians are the most optimistic about their country’s climate efforts, with nearly two-thirds rating it as “very well.” This contrasts with the global trend, where less than a fifth share this positive outlook.

3. Divergent Views on Energy Transition

Globally, 71% support a rapid shift to renewable energy. This sentiment is strongest in Sri Lanka and some fossil fuel-producing countries like Nigeria and South Africa. However, in Russia, where fossil fuels are abundant, support for a quick transition is minimal. The US shows a divided stance, with significant portions both for and against the transition.

4. Perceptions of Safety from Extreme Weather

The survey reveals that people in wealthy, temperate countries like the US, Germany, and Japan feel less threatened by extreme weather compared to those in poorer, hotter nations such as Benin and Haiti. However, some high- and middle-income countries, like Greece and Mexico, still express a strong desire for increased protection against extreme weather.

5. Global Support for Helping Poorer Nations

A significant majority of respondents believe that rich countries should assist poorer ones in addressing climate change. This sentiment is particularly strong in lower-income countries. Even in wealthier nations, there is considerable support for increased climate aid, despite political challenges.

Iskander Erzini Vernoit from the Morocco-based Imal Initiative highlighted that developed countries could increase climate finance without losing domestic support, challenging the notion of political realism used to justify low fiscal ambition.

 People all over the world are worried about climate change and want their governments to do more to cut planet-heating emissions and protect them from extreme weather, a UN survey of more than 75,000 people from 77 countries has found.

Cassie Flynn, climate lead for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said the results were “undeniable evidence that people everywhere support bold climate action”.

While the top-line global figures are interesting, there’s a lot to be learned from comparing the countries too. You can use our search bars to check responses for the countries you’re interested in, but here are Climate Home’s five takeaways from the data:

1. Climate change is not just a rich-world concern

   • Concern about climate change is not limited to wealthy countries. Citizens of less developed countries, like Uganda, think about climate change daily due to its direct impacts on their lives.

2. Saudis back their government’s climate action

   • Saudi Arabians are the most positive about their country's climate efforts, with almost two-thirds rating it “very well”, compared to a global average of less than a fifth.

3. Russians are most opposed to fast energy transition

   • While 71% globally support a fast transition to renewable energy, this support is lowest in Russia. Opinions in the US are divided, with a significant portion opposing any transition.

4. People in rich, colder countries feel safer from extreme weather

   • Wealthy temperate countries like the US, Germany, and Japan feel less threatened by extreme weather compared to poorer, hotter nations like Benin and Haiti.

5. Even citizens of rich countries want them to do more to help poorer ones

   • Nearly four-fifths of global citizens believe rich nations should assist poorer countries in addressing climate change, even though this sentiment is strongest in lower-income countries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024?

   • It is a global survey conducted by the UNDP, University of Oxford, and GeoPoll, involving over 75,000 participants from 77 countries to gauge public opinion on climate action.

2. How do people in wealthier and less developed countries differ in their concern for climate change?

   • People in less developed countries, like Uganda, often think about climate change daily due to its immediate impact, while concern is less frequent in wealthier nations.

3. What is the general global opinion on transitioning to renewable energy?

   • Globally, 71% support a fast transition to renewable energy, with strong support in fossil fuel-producing countries like Nigeria and South Africa, but lower support in Russia.

4. How do perceptions of safety from extreme weather differ by region?

   • Wealthy, temperate countries feel less threatened by extreme weather, while poorer, hotter countries feel more vulnerable and desire more protection.

5. What do global citizens think about rich countries helping poorer ones with climate change?

   • Nearly four-fifths believe rich countries should provide more help to poorer countries to tackle climate change, with the strongest support coming from 

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