The 2024 People’s Climate Votethe largest ever independent public opinion survey on climate change, also found that 80% of respondents support more ambitious climate action.
“The people’s climate vote is loud and clear,” speak UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner.
“Global citizens want their leaders to overcome differences, act now, and act boldly to fight the climate crisis.”
The second edition of the survey polled communities around the world on how countries are tackling climate change which is causing extreme weather, floods and temperature spikes. across the planet, affecting countries large and small.
Consensus ‘truly astonishing’
The UNDP chief said the survey results “show a truly astonishing level of consensus”.
“We call on leaders and policymakers to take note, especially as countries develop their next climate action commitments – also known as ‘nationally determined contributions (NDC)’ under the Convention Paris Agreement”, Mr. Steiner said.
“This is an issue that almost everyone, everywhere can agree on.”
Rapid transition to clean energy
Conducted in collaboration with the University of Oxford and GeoPoll, the survey polled more than 75,000 people speaking 87 different languages across 77 countries on 15 questions about climate change.
The results provide a country-by-country overview of where citizens stand in the world, including towards sustainability.
Majorities of people in 62 of the 77 countries surveyed said they support a rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
Climate anxiety
People around the world also say they are thinking about climate change.
Globally, 56% said they think about it daily or weekly, including about 63% of those from least developed countries (LDC).
More than half of people globally say they are more worried than last year about climate change.
The corresponding figure is 59% in LDC countries and up to 71% in 9 countries The small island is developing (SIDS) also expressed similar views.
A total of 69% of people surveyed said their major decisions such as where to live or work are being affected by climate change, with results varying across regions, from 74% in less developed countries growing to 52% in Western and Northern Europe and 42% in North America.
The message is clear
At the global launch at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, Cassie Flynn, UNDP Global Director on Climate Change, said “the message is very clear” and explained what was to come.
“As we move forward it is about bringing people’s voices into the debate [on climate change],” she speaks.
“The next two years are one of the best opportunities we have as an international community to ensure that warming remains below 1.5°,” she said. “We stand ready to support policymakers in increasing their efforts as they develop climate action plans through our Climate Promise initiative.”
The first People’s Climate Poll took place in 2021 and surveyed people across 50 countries through ads on popular mobile gaming apps. Click here to see the results of that survey.
