In a survey of 12,000 people from 12 countries, 48% of respondents stated governments should be playing a leading role in tackling climate change, but only 25% think they are doing so.
The Climate Confidence Monitor 2008 is HSBC Climate Partnership’s second survey of consumer attitudes on climate change; gauging opinions of consumers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, UK and the US.
When asked what their government should be doing to tackle climate change, the use of and investment in renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar energy was the highest priority in seven out of the 12 countries surveyed. More than twice as many respondents stated governments should invest in renewable energy (55%) than participate in international agreements on climate change (27 %). The increased use of renewable energy also ranked higher than actions such as limiting carbon dioxide emissions and engaging in carbon trading.
This year’s survey has revealed a shift towards government playing more of a role over personal responsibility in tackling global warming, however many Australians still seem to be recognizing the many threats being posed by climate change with over 50% of respondents ranking climate change over the global economy as a higher priority issue, even in the midst of the current global financial crisis. In the USA, only around 20% ranked climate change as being a higher priority, the least of any country in the survey.
The HSBC Climate Partnership is a collaboration between HSBC and The Climate Group, Earthwatch Institute, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF, formed to help address the threats posed by climate change by raising awareness of individuals businesses and governments worldwide.
The full HSBC Climate Confidence Monitor 2008 report can be downloaded here (PDF 709kb).
