Europeans favour climate action but resist measures affecting daily life

A YouGov poll in six European countries found broad belief in human-caused climate change and support for taking action soon, alongside reluctance to accept measures that would change daily habits or raise personal costs. The findings suggest governments face pressure to act, but may encounter resistance when policies affect travel, food choices or fuel prices.

Between 69% of respondents in Germany and 80% in France said the climate was changing, and 65% to 83% across the countries were worried about the crisis. Most believed international cooperation would make action more effective, while EU respondents often favoured decisions at EU level. Respondents tended to back tree planting, energy-efficiency subsidies and taxes on major emitters, but opposed fuel-duty rises, air-fare taxes, meat and dairy limits, and bans on new petrol and diesel cars.