Germans still see global warming as a threat, but many resist lifestyle changes – survey

Most citizens in Germany say they consider global warming a threat, but many remain unwilling to implement far-reaching lifestyle changes to cut emissions, a survey by pollster YouGov published by magazine Stern has found. Nearly two thirds (63%) of the 2,400 respondents said climate change is “a serious problem,” down from 71 percent in 2024. Seventy percent said that it is caused by human activity, with about a fifth saying it is not.

Almost half (46%) said they believe that “the worst effects” of climate change can still be averted, but only if drastic changes are implemented. However, support for concrete measures at the individual level was lower: 24 percent said they would be ready to switch to electric cars, while 34 percent rejected the idea, and four percent said they already drive an EV. A climate levy on aviation was welcomed by 24 percent and opposed by 35 percent.

About one third said they would be ready to strictly limit their weekly dairy- and meat product consumption, and ten percent said they could do without these products entirely. However, another third of respondents rejected limiting their intake and 67 percent foregoing meat and dairy altogether. State-mandated measures also met resistance. Two thirds rejected a ban on new combustion engine vehicles. More than 60 percent said that limitations on buying meat and dairy products would be unacceptable, and more than half opposed a new flat-rate tax on flights. 

Climate action has ranked as the German public's top policy priority for several years. More recently, however, issues such as a worsening economic outlook, geopolitical challenges in Ukraine and beyond, or the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic have taken precedence. Still, most citizens continue to call for greater climate ambition and strongly support the shift to a low-carbon economy.