Even in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions climate change remains among the top three concerns of Europeans. A large majority support action across the EU to tackle the climate crisis and make Europe the first climate-neutral continent, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey by the European Commission.
2025 Survey
Main survey findings
Europeans continue to take climate change seriously
- European citizens identify climate change as the joint third most serious problem facing the world, alongside the economic situation and behind armed conflicts and poverty, hunger, and lack of drinking water.
- 85% of respondents consider climate change a serious problem for the world.
Strong support for action to tackle climate change and the clean transition
- 81% of respondents support the EU’s goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
- Over three quarters (77%) agree that the cost of damage caused by climate change outweighs the cost of transitioning to a climate-neutral economy, while 88% support greater investment in renewables and energy efficiency by the EU.
- More than eight in ten Europeans (84%) agree more support should be given to European companies to compete in the global market for clean technologies, demonstrating public backing for the Clean Industrial Deal.
- Citizens see national governments (66%), the EU (59%), and business and industry (58%) as best placed to tackle climate change.
Climate change is personal
- A growing share of Europeans (38%) also report feeling personally exposed to environmental and climate-related risks.
- In 8 Member States, more than half of citizens report feeling this exposure, particularly in Southern Europe, Poland, and Hungary.
- Two thirds of Europeans said that they consider extreme weather conditions when deciding on a holiday destination.
Europeans are aware of the benefits of the transition
- Citizens see climate action not only as necessary but beneficial—both economically and socially.
- 85% believe climate action should be a priority to improve public health, while 83% agree that preparing better for the adverse impacts of climate change will improve the lives of EU citizens.
- 77% of Europeans agree that acting on climate change will foster innovation.
- Three quarters of respondents believe reducing fossil fuel imports will enhance energy security and benefit the EU economically.
Most Europeans are consciously making choices for the climate
- More than half (59%) of Europeans say they have taken an action in the past six months that combats climate change, most notably by reducing and recycling waste (64%) and cutting down on consumption of disposable items whenever possible (49%).
- Just over a third (34%) of Europeans take account of lower energy consumption when buying a new household appliance, while just over a quarter regularly use environmentally-friendly alternatives to a private car.
Information gaps remain
- While 84% agree that climate change is caused by human activity, 52% say traditional media fail to provide clear information on climate change, its causes and impacts.
- Looking more widely at communication channels, 49% believe that it is difficult to differentiate between reliable information and disinformation about climate change on social media.
Full report and individual Member State information
- Full report
- 03/03/2014 - IP/2014/201 - Turn to climate action for a job-rich economic recovery, Europeans say
- Full report
- 07/10/2011 - IP/2011/1162 - Climate change: Survey shows increased public concern, awareness of economic benefits of action
- Full report
- 02/12/2009 - IP/2009/1858 - Eurobarometer: Climate change the second most serious problem faced by the world today
- Full report
- 11/09/2008 - IP/2008/1314 - Strong public support for EU targets on climate change