An IPSOS study reveals how attitudes about climate change are evolving in 33 countries worldwide
Ipsos, a world-leading market research company, conducted a comprehensive 33-country study using a robust methodology to understand how attitudes to climate change are evolving. The study involved a large sample size, rigorous data collection, and statistical analysis to ensure the reliability of the findings.
According to a report released by IPSO gauging the emerging attitudes towards climate change, a vast majority of urban Indians believe that businesses and individuals need to act now to mitigate the risk of climate change. However, 2 in 3 urban Indians believe the negative impact of climate change is too far off to worry. Further, 68 percent of urban Indians see no rationale in changing their own behaviour in tackling climate change, believing it will make no difference. This highlights the need for not just individual action, but also for businesses and governments to actively participate in the global endeavour to fight climate change.
Across the 33 countries surveyed, a powerful consensus emerges, with two-thirds of the population and a significant 76 percent of Indians believing that developed countries like the US, GB, France, Canada, and Germany must bear a greater share of the responsibility in tackling climate change. This global sentiment underscores the need for collective action and international cooperation, making each individual feel part of a larger movement.
However, it is worth noting that France and Canada have experienced a shift in public sentiment, with more people feeling that they are being asked to sacrifice too much in the fight against climate change, a sentiment now more prevalent than the opposite view. This shift could be attributed to recent policy changes or public discourse, which is important to consider in the context of international cooperation.
People are not just willing, but eager to contribute to the fight against climate change. In all countries, individuals are more likely to say if everyone made small changes in their everyday lives, this could have a significant impact, with at least 77 percent in India endorsing this view. However, they lack the knowledge on how to do this. For instance, 66 percent of urban Indians believe it is the usage of products that deplete the ozone layer as the biggest contributing factor for climate change, while in actual rank the No.1 cause was industry, electricity and heat production; No.2 was deforestation, agriculture and other land use changes; and No.3 was air pollution caused by cars, trucks, planes, trains and ships etc. This eagerness to contribute should inspire us all to take action and educate ourselves on the most effective ways to combat climate change.
Further, they overestimate the importance of recycling and underestimate the impact of acts like not having a car or going vegan.
Incentives for personal action
Urban Indians say the following would encourage them to take personal actions to fight climate change: Seeing the impact of climate-driven weather events in other countries around the world (30 percent), seeing the impact of climate-driven weather events in my country (29 percent), having easy access to information on the steps which I can take every day (28 percent) and a financial incentive, or tax cut to allow me to make more environmentally friendly purchases of goods and services (27 percent). These findings suggest that a combination of awareness campaigns, access to information, and financial incentives could be effective in motivating individuals to take action against climate change.
The '33-country average' reflects the average result for all the countries and markets where the survey was conducted. It has not been adjusted to the population size of each country or market and is not intended to suggest a total result. All global numbers cited reflect this 33-country average. It's important to note that while this average provides a broad overview of the attitudes towards climate change, it may not accurately represent the specific situation in each country. Therefore, it should be used as a general guide rather than a definitive measure.