How is The European Commission Fighting for Climate Action?

The European Commission has released its Eurobarometer 565 survey, confirming that climate change remains a pressing concern for Europeans. 

The report states that 84% of European citizens believe climate change is caused by human activity, with the highest agreement in Sweden (96%) and the lowest in Estonia (61%).

Climate change ranks among the four most serious global problems for Europeans, alongside poverty and international conflict. 

Personal exposure and action

Climate-related risks are felt personally across Europe. 

Nearly 4 in 10 Europeans (38%) feel exposed to environmental and climate-related risks such as wildfires, floods and pollution, with respondents in Malta (68%) reporting the highest perceived risks.

While citizens are increasingly aware, personal climate action has slightly declined. 

In 2025, 59% of Europeans reported taking action against climate change in the past six months.

Recycling and waste reduction remains the most common activity, followed by trying to cut down disposable item consumption and buying lower energy consumption appliances.

Trust and responsibility

Europeans continue to see national governments as the most responsible actors for tackling climate change.

The report states that 66% identified their government as best placed to act against climate change, followed by the European Union (59%) and businesses and industry (58%). 

However, confidence in government effectiveness remains low: 67% say their government is not doing enough to tackle climate change with France and Sweden having the highest levels of dissatisfaction (77%).

“A remarkable 77% of Europeans believe that taking climate action will lead to innovation and make EU companies more competitive,” writes Robert Little, Sustainability Strategy Lead for gTech at Google, on LinkedIn.

“Beyond an environmental vision, it’s a clear economic provocation.

“The challenge now is to capitalise on this momentum, turning public optimism into concrete strategic investments that secure Europe's competitive edge.”

The sense of urgency is strong, with 85% believing it is urgent for regional and local authorities to prepare for the consequences of climate change and improve public health and quality of life.

The report says that 90% of respondents believe it is important that national governments take action to improve energy efficiency, with regional and local authorities (89% and the European Union (88%) following behind.

Support for policy and transition

Public support for climate measures is broad and consistent.

A vast majority of Europeans (89%) believe that governments must promote renewable energy such as wind and solar, with the EU and regional and local authorities following with a close 88%.

Economic considerations also feature prominently. 

Nearly 80% agree that climate action will make EU companies more competitive, while 79% believe public financial support should accelerate the transition to clean energy, even if fossil fuel subsidies are reduced. 

A strong majority (77%) argue that the costs of climate inaction far outweigh the investments needed for a green transition.