Europeans want climate action, but not if it costs them, poll finds

Europeans are convinced the climate is in trouble — they just don't want to foot a hefty bill to fix it. A YouGov survey across six countries found that between 69% and 80% of respondents believe the climate is changing, with only 1% to 4% denying it outright. Another 14% to 20% say the climate is shifting, but blame something other than human activity.

The timing is pointed: the poll drops days before Cop31 kicks off in Turkey. And voters clearly want teamwork — 79% to 89% across Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK said countries fight the crisis more effectively together than alone. Inside the EU, 50% to 54% of respondents in France, Italy and Germany want climate decisions made in Brussels rather than at home, along with 61% in Denmark and 64% in Spain.

Worry is running hot. Between 65% and 83% of people in each country said they're anxious about the crisis, including 23% to 42% who are very worried, and YouGov tied a summer spike to this year's heatwaves. France is the standout: concern climbed from 74% in April, hitting 83% by mid-August and holding there last month. The share of French respondents who are very worried jumped from 28% in April, reaching a record 42% in August and staying put.

Elsewhere the heat faded. In Germany, the very concerned stood at 27% in April, peaked at 40% in August, then slipped back to 31%. Denmark barely budged, sitting at 66% to 69% worried and 20% to 23% very worried throughout. Scientists say Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with fossil fuel burning driving more frequent and ferocious heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and storms.

There's optimism, with a big caveat attached. Somewhere between 45% and 63% think it's not too late to dodge the worst impacts — but only with a drastic change of approach. Just 11% to 24% reckon the window has already slammed shut, and only 9% to 20% believe current measures will do the job.

Then comes the catch. The measures people like are the ones that don't touch their daily lives: planting more trees, subsidising energy efficiency, banning single-use plastics and taxing big emitters all draw support. Raising fuel duty, curbing meat and dairy, taxing air fares and banning new petrol and diesel cars? Opposed. The same pattern shows up on personal sacrifice — green space at home and eating only seasonal fruit and vegetables are popular, while shopping exclusively secondhand and paying more for flights are not.