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FGZ Study Finds Most Germans Want Stronger Climate Action as Small Vocal Minority Skews Debate

Researchers say a polarized debate, not apathy, is stalling climate policy.

Overview

  • Surveying about 7,000 people, the report finds over 70% worry about climate impacts and favor more government action.
  • Researchers identify five attitude groups—Entschlossene (18%), Besorgte (18%), Zustimmende (31%), Indifferente (25%) and Ablehnende (8%).
  • The small Ablehnenden group is highly active politically and overrepresented on social media, at times spreading misinformation according to the authors.
  • Climate attitudes align with party and social divides, with the most climate‑conscious leaning toward the Greens and skeptics closer to AfD, and East Germans more common among the latter.
  • The study urges mobilizing existing majorities and addressing fears of unfair burdens, with experts Maja Göpel and Jérémie Gagné calling for clearer, more nuanced communication.