Key facts
- Between 79% and 89% of respondents in the six countries said international cooperation would combat the climate crisis more effectively.
- In France, Italy and Germany, 50% to 54% said climate decisions should be made at EU rather than national level.
- Across the six countries, 45% to 63% said it was not too late to avert the worst impacts but required a drastic change in approach.
- Only 9% to 20% of respondents thought current measures would be enough to prevent the most serious impacts.
- Measures not directly affecting daily life, such as planting trees and taxing big emitters, drew more support than fuel duty rises or meat limits.
A YouGov poll of six European countries found that between 69% and 80% of respondents believe the climate is changing, with only 1% to 4% denying it and 14% to 20% saying it is changing but not because of human activity, according to the report published on November 6, 2026.
The survey covered Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Between 79% and 89% of respondents in those countries said countries would combat the crisis more effectively by working internationally. In France, Italy and Germany, 50% to 54% said climate decisions should be made at EU rather than national level, compared with 61% in Denmark and 64% in Spain.
Majorities of 65% to 83% in each country said they were worried about the climate crisis, including 23% to 42% who were very worried. YouGov noted an increase in concern during the summer heatwaves. In France, the share worried rose from 74% in April to 83% by mid-August and held at that level in October, while the share very worried rose from 28% to a record high of 42% in August and stayed there.
Concern in other countries rose in August and has since fallen. In Germany, the share very concerned went from 27% in April to 40% in August and back to 31%. In Denmark, 66% to 69% were worried and 20% to 23% very worried.
Across the six countries, 45% to 63% said it was not too late to avert the worst impacts but that it would require a drastic change in approach, while 11% to 24% said it was already too late. Only 9% to 20% thought current measures would be enough.
Support was strongest for measures not directly affecting daily life, such as planting trees, subsidizing energy efficiency, banning single-use plastics and taxing big emitters. Increasing fuel duty, limiting meat and dairy, taxing air fares and banning new petrol and diesel cars drew opposition. Cheap actions such as creating green space at home and eating only seasonal fruit and vegetables were popular, while shopping exclusively secondhand and paying more for flights were not.