Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 survey reveals overwhelming support for ambitious climate action.
The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 survey of over 73,000 people across 77 countries has revealed overwhelming public support for stronger climate policies and international cooperation to address the climate crisis. The survey by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP and the University of Oxford provides unprecedented insight into global public opinion on climate change and desired actions from world leaders.
The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 found that 80% of people worldwide want their countries to strengthen commitments to address climate change. This sentiment spans all surveyed nations, including countries where the public believes their government is already performing well on climate issues. Strong majorities favor more ambitious climate policies even in major greenhouse gas-emitting nations. For instance, 73% in China, 77% in India, and 66% in the United States support stronger national climate commitments.
While public support is crucial, translating it into effective action faces numerous challenges. These include political opposition, economic constraints, and technological limitations. However, this level of public backing provides a strong mandate for policymakers to overcome these obstacles.
This widespread call for enhanced climate action comes against rising public concern about climate impacts. The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 revealed that 53% of people globally report being more worried about climate change than the previous year. This anxiety is particularly pronounced in Least Developed Countries, where 59% express increased concern.
These findings align with observations of accelerating climate impacts. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, it’s natural that public concern is growing, especially in vulnerable regions.
The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 also uncovered strong public support for a rapid transition from fossil fuels. Globally, 72% of respondents want their country to quickly shift from coal, oil, and gas to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. This includes majorities in many of the world’s largest fossil fuel-producing nations. For example, 80% in China, 76% in India, and 69% in Australia favor a quick energy transition.
This level of public support for clean energy transition suggests that policymakers in many countries have a clear mandate to accelerate the shift to renewables, even in nations with significant fossil fuel industries.
While the transition to clean energy requires significant upfront investment, it also presents substantial economic opportunities and long-term cost savings. Studies suggest that ambitious climate action could lead to net job creation and long-term economic benefits, particularly in developing countries. However, managing short-term economic disruptions, especially in fossil fuel-dependent regions, remains a critical challenge.
The economic case for immediate action is compelling when compared to the costs of delaying climate initiatives. According to the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, bold climate action could yield at least $26 trillion in economic benefits through 2030 compared to business-as-usual scenarios. In contrast, delaying action significantly increases transition costs and climate impact expenses. The IPCC warns that adaptation costs rise dramatically with higher warming levels. For instance, protecting or rebuilding coastal communities from sea-level rise could cost hundreds of billions annually by 2100 if emissions continue unabated.
Furthermore, early action can prevent severe economic disruptions. A report by the Network for Greening the Financial System, a group of central banks, cautions that climate change could trigger a financial crisis due to stranded assets in fossil fuel industries and physical risks to infrastructure. These economic realities underscore the urgency of climate action, aligning with the public’s call for stronger commitments, as revealed in the survey.
The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 also revealed a strong desire for international cooperation on climate issues, even in the face of other geopolitical tensions. An overwhelming 86% of respondents globally believe countries should work together on climate change, regardless of disagreements on other matters such as trade or security. This sentiment was consistent across diverse regions and political systems, indicating a near-universal recognition of climate change as a global challenge requiring collaborative solutions.
In a world facing numerous geopolitical challenges, this result shows that people everywhere recognize climate change as a unifying issue. It sends a clear message to world leaders that the public expects cooperation on climate action, even when relations are strained in other areas.
The survey also highlighted strong public support for enhanced climate education. Globally, 80% of respondents want schools to teach more about climate change. This figure rises to 93% in Least Developed Countries, underscoring the importance of climate education in vulnerable regions. The desire for increased climate education was consistent across all age groups surveyed, challenging the oft-repeated trope that climate concern is primarily a youth-driven phenomenon.
This widespread call for more climate education reflects a growing public understanding of the long-term nature of the climate crisis. People recognize that equipping future generations with knowledge about climate change is crucial for ongoing mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 also provided insights into youth perspectives on climate action. Among future voters aged 15-17, 89% supported strengthening climate commitments, higher than the global average. This age group also showed the highest concern about climate impacts on future generations, with 76% reporting being “very worried” or “extremely worried.”
These results show that young people are acutely aware of the climate crisis and its long-term implications. They’re not just worried; they’re demanding action. Their future is at stake, and they expect leaders to act with the urgency of this crisis.
These findings come at a critical juncture for global climate policy. As countries prepare to update their Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs under the Paris Agreement in 2025, the Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 provides valuable insights into public expectations.
The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 message is loud and clear. The vast majority of global citizens want their leaders to transcend their differences, to act now and to act boldly to fight the climate crisis. As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, this comprehensive survey reveals a global populace increasingly concerned about the crisis and supportive of strong, cooperative action to address it. The challenge now lies with policymakers to translate this public mandate into concrete policies and international agreements that can effectively tackle the climate emergency.
If there is only one takeaway from The Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024, it would be that politicians are aware of the majority’s opinion, and now is the time to email your elected representatives and reinforce the message.
