Respondents express 'powerlessness' during climate survey
The Climate Conversations 2025 report is based on 1,949 responses to a Government consultation. Only one in seven of those who filled in the survey believe the Government is delivering a clear plan for climate action.
The number of people who responded to this latest round of Climate Conversations in 2024 is down about 50% from the previous year.
The Department of Climate, Energy and Environment says its findings "should not be considered as reflective of the wider general population," but it does give a snapshot of what people in Ireland who are engaged with climate change believe.
The percentage of those who are very worried or somewhat worried about climate change has increased by three points to 90%.
Concern is particularly high amongst women and people living in urban areas. The belief that climate change is extremely, very or somewhat important is also more widely shared, up by three percentage points to 91%.
Perceptions of who is most responsible for delivering climate action have not changed much with around three quarters of responses listing the Government, business and industry and the European Union.
The percentage of those who believe they are doing more than other individuals on climate action has increased from 52% to 61%, but the share of those who say they should more also grew from, from 72% to 76%.
Perceptions of what actions people could take to reduce their own carbon emissions also shifted.
The change most widely perceived to be most effective was reducing the number of flights taken which topped the rankings, up from 31% in 2023 to 38% last year.
This was followed by retrofitting at 28% and installing solar panels or a wind turbine.
The report says "overall, transport-related activities received more nominations this year, with reducing flights and using public transport increasing significantly. However, switching to or buying an EV decreased significantly, possibly a reflection of mixed messaging received from the media."
The consultation also asked people about their involvement in community organisations and activities and the report says the responses "highlighted the benefits and challenges of building capacity for climate action at a community level. Harnessing the power of existing communities of place and interest in tandem with one another represents an efficient means to accelerate action across communities."
It also warns that "the further decline in perceptions of the benefit of Electric Vehicles on emissions highlights one of the more significant perception-reality gaps amongst this population.
"Despite evidence to the contrary, the population vastly underestimate the benefits of Electric Vehicles," it added and it recommends that work needs to be done on this alongside continuing education on the benefits of public transport and active travel.
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