Overview
- A Europa-Universität Flensburg study that analyzed surveys from 2014–2023 found that by 2023 nearly two-thirds of respondents expressed doubts about climate change, climate protection, or the energy transition.
- A YouGov poll conducted after the August 2026 heatwave reports that 44% of Germans now see climate impacts as clearly more severe and many want concrete local protections such as more urban trees and better heat shielding for care homes.
- Researchers link the rise in skepticism to the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war and the resulting energy crisis, growing support for the AfD and a broader loss of trust in political institutions.
- Public attitudes are fragmented: large majorities back visible adaptation measures, but many Germans resist personal sacrifices and 34% say they feel no personal responsibility for the crisis.
- The Bundeskabinett will debate heat- and climate-protection measures next week, and policymakers may need to prioritize tangible adaptation and fair burden-sharing to keep decarbonization politically feasible.