A new global report by IPSOS has revealed a steep decline in public concern about climate change, which now trails over 20 percent behind war and conflict among top global worries in 2025.
The findings were unveiled yesterday at the General Assembly of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
According to the 2025 Global Consumer Awareness Survey, conducted across 50 countries with over 40,000 respondents, war and conflict now dominate global concerns at 52 percent, while climate change ranks at 31 percent—a 21-point gap.
The survey warns that climate change risks slipping out of political and consumer consciousness as other crises capture attention.
Comparing data from 32 countries surveyed in both 2022 and 2025, the concern gap has widened from 12 points in 2022 to 16 points in 2025.
Issues like deforestation, wildfires, droughts, floods, and species loss remain among the most pressing environmental challenges, reflecting how communities experience climate risks directly through forests.
While global concern for climate change has fallen, countries such as Japan and Brazil have recorded notable increases since 2022.
In contrast, concern has dropped sharply in Africa, particularly in Kenya (down 12 points) and South Africa (down seven points).
FSC Director General, Subhra Bhattacharjee, said the findings reveal a major disconnect between public sentiment and action.
“People report lower worry about climate change, yet they reward brands that can prove sustainability. To close this gap, climate action must be made tangible in daily life,” he said.
Similarly, FSC Senior Director of Markets, Helen Chepkemoi Too, noted that sustainability still drives consumer loyalty.
“Even if climate change isn’t always top of mind, people are voting with their wallets. They want sustainable choices—and they reward brands that can prove their impact,” she explained.
Deputy Director of FSC Africa, Annah Agasha, attributed the regional drop in concern to ongoing conflicts and economic pressures.
“Africa has faced a year marked by conflict, economic strain, and social unrest. These realities shape people’s priorities, but sustainability remains a strong value across the continent,” she stated.