Public Perception of Climate Change
Citizens’ perceptions of climate change are closely tied to their trust in government institutions and the effectiveness of environmental policies. As reported by the OECD, while a majority of Europeans (81%), British (74%), and Americans (59%) recognise climate change as a significant challenge, skepticism about governmental action remains high. Public trust is essential for securing support for long-term environmental policies, as balancing short-term costs with long-term benefits proves challenging.
Younger generations show greater awareness and willingness to take action, but an intergenerational divide persists. Surveys reveal that 75% of EU citizens, 69% of British citizens, and 59% of Americans believe they are more concerned about climate change than their respective governments. Furthermore, confidence in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is closely linked to trust in national governments.
Despite some progress, significant challenges remain. Governments must enhance credibility, invest in green technologies, and effectively communicate the benefits of environmental policies to sustain public trust and drive meaningful action.
In March, the authors of the third chapter of our multiannual benchmarking study—conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands—presented the key findings on environmental protection and climate change performance across 35 countries. The study covers government spending, air quality, water resources, waste management, energy, and biodiversity.
Key Findings:
Government spending on environmental protection: despite growing concerns over climate change, government spending on environmental protection remains modest. In 2021, EU countries allocated an average of only 0.8% of GDP to environmental protection efforts. Some countries, such as Croatia (1.5%), the Netherlands (1.4%), and Belgium (1.3%), demonstrated stronger commitments. In contrast, Finland (0.2%) and Ireland (0.3%) lagged significantly behind.
- Air quality: air pollution remains a major global health risk, but there has been a decrease in PM2.5 fine particle exposure across all countries from 2000 to 2019. However, energy consumption—primarily from manufacturing and road transport—still accounts for 58% of emissions, underscoring the need for further interventions.
- Greenhouse gas emissions: EU countries achieved a 22% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2021. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania showed the most progress, whereas emissions remain high in Czechia, Germany, Ireland, and Luxembourg. Sweden and Malta recorded the lowest emissions per capita in 2021.
Water resources and protection efforts: water availability remains a critical issue, with Hungary and the Netherlands relying heavily on transboundary water resources (94.3% and 88.8%, respectively). Meanwhile, water stress in Western Europe is driven by industrial and energy-related demands, whereas Southern Europe’s challenges are primarily agricultural. In terms of protected areas, 26% of EU land is covered by terrestrial conservation areas, with Luxembourg, Bulgaria, and Slovenia leading the way. However, marine protection remains inadequate, with only 8% of EU waters protected. Germany, Belgium, and France have the largest marine conservation shares, while Ireland, Portugal, and Italy have the smallest.- Waste management and recycling: waste generation trends are mixed across EU countries. While some nations have reduced per capita waste production, others have seen an increase. Recycling rates have improved significantly between 2010 and 2020, with Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands leading. Meeting landfill reduction targets remains a challenge, but Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and Germany have already aligned with the EU’s 2035 directive to reduce landfill rates to 10% or less.
Water resources and protection efforts: water availability remains a critical issue, with Hungary and the Netherlands relying heavily on transboundary water resources (94.3% and 88.8%, respectively). Meanwhile, water stress in Western Europe is driven by industrial and energy-related demands, whereas Southern Europe’s challenges are primarily agricultural. In terms of protected areas, 26% of EU land is covered by terrestrial conservation areas, with Luxembourg, Bulgaria, and Slovenia leading the way. However, marine protection remains inadequate, with only 8% of EU waters protected. Germany, Belgium, and France have the largest marine conservation shares, while Ireland, Portugal, and Italy have the smallest.Looking ahead
While progress has been made in areas such as emissions reduction and waste management, substantial challenges remain. Governments must strengthen policies, invest in green technologies, and foster public trust to achieve long-term environmental sustainability.
Did you miss the event? Watch the recording and register for the upcoming one “Health Chapter: Dashboard Launch” on 15 May.
