Public Perceptions of Climate Policies: Evidence from Cross-Country Surveys

IMF News, February 9, 2023

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Introductory remarks by IMF Deputy Managing Director Bo Li at the launch of the new IMF Staff Discussion Note titled "Public Perceptions of Climate Mitigation Policies: Evidence from Cross-Country Surveys".
As prepared for delivery on February 9, 2023.
Survey coverage: almost 30 thousand individuals across four continents, covering 28 countries—including 11 in Asia.
Survey sample spans some of the largest emitters as well as those most vulnerable to climate shocks.

Perceived urgency and priority
- An overwhelming majority of the public views climate change as an immediate threat.
- Many people report they are already personally affected by climate change, including in the Asia and Pacific region.
- A majority recognizes that reducing emissions is a top priority.
International cooperation
- Across all countries, a majority of people believe that tackling climate change is a common goal that can only be achieved if all countries work together.
Knowledge and awareness gaps
- Large shares of the population in many countries are unaware of their national commitments to cut emissions.
- The survey shows big gaps in the public’s knowledge and support for key policies.
Distribution of responsibility
- In both advanced economies and emerging markets, most people think that all countries should pay.

Communication and transparency
- Clear and transparent communication is identified as the top action governments can take to bridge knowledge gaps and build support for policies.
Targeting vulnerable groups and co-benefits
- People are more likely to support policies that protect economically vulnerable groups.
- Emphasizing positive spillovers—such as better air quality—can increase public support for climate policies.
Multilateral approaches
- Public support for collective action underscores the importance of joint measures across borders to address the shared challenge.

The study aims to help governments increase support for strong climate action, including joint measures across borders, to close the gap toward keeping global warming below 1.5 to 2 degrees compared with pre-industrial times.

Introductory Remarks by IMF Deputy Managing Director Bo Li at the launch of the new IMF Staff Discussion Note — February 9, 2023.