A new survey conducted by Ipsos for Earth Day, titled the Ipsos People and Climate Change Report, reveals an alarming trend in India. While the majority of Indians remain concerned about the impact of climate change, fewer feel the urgency to act. The report shows a decrease in concern about climate change in India. The concern has dropped by 13%, from 78% in 2022 to 64% in 2025. Similarly, the urgency to take action has declined by 15%. Only 54% of respondents in 2025 expressed the need for immediate action. This is a decline compared to 69% in 2021. This trend signals a growing complacency among citizens in the face of an escalating climate crisis.
Parijat Chakraborty, Group Service Line Leader for Public Affairs, Corporate Reputation, ESG, and CSR at Ipsos India, said “every year, we witness the impact of climate change. This happens through natural calamities, extreme weather conditions, and pollution. What is more alarming is the trend of declining interest and concern among citizens around climate change. Citizens are becoming complacent in acting. Indians are losing interest and becoming disengaged.”
RISING TEMPERATURES AND GLOBAL CONCERN: INDIA’S DISCONNECT
One of the most concerning findings in the report is that 37% of Indians believe that a 1.5˚C increase in global temperatures is not a big deal. This is the highest proportion globally, reflecting a stark contrast with the global sentiment. Across 32 countries, 53% disagree with the statement that a temperature rise beyond 1.5˚C is negligible, highlighting the widespread recognition of the severity of this target. The 1.5˚C target was agreed upon as part of the 2015 Paris Agreement. This is considered essential to limit the catastrophic effects of climate change. It aims to avoid extreme weather patterns, ocean disruptions, and coral reef collapses.
Nonetheless, India’s indifference to this threshold poses a challenge to global climate efforts. In 2024, the global average temperature exceeded the 1.5˚C target for the first time in a calendar year. This is a clear indicator of the urgency to meet this critical limit. While most of the world acknowledges the importance of this target, India seems to lag behind in understanding its gravity.
INDIA’S PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE LEADERSHIP AND NATIONAL SACRIFICE
In addition to this decline in urgency, the Ipsos report also highlights two key points. First, 56% of Indians believe the country is already sacrificing a lot to tackle climate change. Many citizens hold a strong belief that India is a global leader in fighting climate change. Nonetheless, this view has decreased over the years. In 2023, 71% of Indians expressed this belief, but in 2025, only 56% agreed. This shift indicates a growing recognition that, despite India’s efforts, there is still much work to be done.
Further complicating the situation is the sense of complacency about India’s current climate strategy. While 56% of Indians believe that there is a clear plan for tackling climate change. This involves the government, businesses, and citizens. This belief is based on partial truths. India has implemented stringent measures to reduce carbon emissions. These measures include plans to move toward electrification. Ambitious targets such as banning internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035 are also included.
FINANCIAL WORRIES AND THE TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Despite these measures, the survey reveals financial concerns are a significant barrier to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. A notable 39% of Indians and 44% of global respondents believe that transitioning to renewable energy will lead to higher household energy prices. This sentiment is particularly prevalent in Europe, where citizens in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and France share similar concerns. Europeans are more skeptical about the environmental benefits of green technologies. They are likely to view electric cars as equally harmful to the planet as traditional petrol or gas-powered vehicles.
GLOBAL TRENDS AND INSIGHTS: A SNAPSHOT OF CHANGING ATTITUDES
The Ipsos survey, which spans 32 countries, provides a valuable snapshot of how citizens worldwide are engaging with the climate crisis. From rising climate concern in South Korea to shifting perceptions in India, the data shows diverse attitudes toward climate action. The report reveals that while the urgency for climate action remains high in many countries, nations like India are experiencing a concerning decline in both concern and the willingness to act. This evolving trend signals a critical moment for global climate leadership. It highlights the need for renewed efforts to re-engage citizens in climate action.
INDIA’S GROWING CLIMATE DISCONNECT
The findings from the Ipsos People and Climate Change Report show a worrying trend. There is a declining climate concern among Indians. There is also a decline in urgency. While the global community continues to grapple with the consequences of rising temperatures, India’s complacency and financial concerns about the renewable energy transition threaten to hinder progress. As the world moves closer to surpassing the critical 1.5˚C temperature rise, India must refocus its efforts. The nation must address the growing disconnect between citizens’ awareness and action on climate change. With ambitious targets like the electrification of transportation, there is potential for positive change, but this must be supported by strong public engagement and a willingness to act.
