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A new Climate Opinion Research Exchange, Morphosis and Vibe Fund study shows that a global consensus in public opinion supports climate adaptation measures, not viewing them as in contradiction to mitigation efforts. Overall, 65% of the public in the survey, which included over 18,000 respondents in 18 countries, agree that their country should focus on a mixture of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. This consensus spreads across the political spectrum, with pluralities across all major parties saying that their country should focus on both mitigation and adaptation.
Not only do the publics across countries say that climate adaptation and mitigation should both receive attention – in contrast to the political conversation in many countries, a majority (53%) do not see adaptation and mitigation as in conflict, but rather believe that working on adaptation will buttress mitigation efforts. In none of the 18 countries did the opposite view – that focusing on adaptation would would harm mitigation efforts – prevail among a majority or even plurality of the public.
Economic concerns about the impacts of climate change are top of mind for the public. When asked which climate related issues would most impact them most over the coming years, damage to the economy and cost of living were the most common responses at the global level. A majority (53%) believes that climate change will affect the cost of living in the coming years and a plurality (45%) believes it will disrupt how they earn a living over the next five to ten years, with 42% saying the opposite and the remaining 13% being uncertain. Importantly, these concerns generally span political divides.
The public also wants their government to do more to adapt to climate change – two thirds of the public (66%) across the study want their government to do more or much more, and only one in ten (10%) want their government to do less or much less.
To read the study’s report, click here.
To view the study results in aggregate or in depth analysis for a country or region, click on the corresponding links below:
- Main findings
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- China
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Kenya
- Mexico
- Poland
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Spain
- UK
- US
- Turkey
Data aggregated at the G20 and the EU level, for available countries, are also available:
About the Survey
Norstat interviewed 18,245 people online for Morphosis and Vibe Fund, with support from the Climate Opinion Research Exchange, between 22 July and 10 August 2026: around 1,000 respondents in each of the 18 countries. Data were weighted to be nationally representative within each country. The Margin of error is ± 3.1 points nationally and ± 0.73 across the entire study area.
About Morphosis
Morphosis is a Switzerland-based investment and insight business for the adaptation economy. It advises policy makers and regulators on adaptation-aligned economic policy and backs adaptation solution businesses.
About Vibe Fund
Vibe Fund is a strategic re-grantor working to build a better political climate to advance action across national and global challenges. We prioritise work on just transitions – economic, environmental, political and social. We strive to make good policies politically resilient, championed by people from all walks of life, including the communities most affected by climate, energy and nature impacts.
Who to contact about this study
Dustin Gilbreath, CORE: [email protected]
Jacob Warn, Morphosis: [email protected]
Julia Vinogradov, Vibe Fund: [email protected]