An Ipsos–FSC survey finds global concern for climate change and forest protection dropping sharply in 2025, with war and conflict now the world’s top worry
A new Ipsos survey commissioned by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) reveals that concern for climate change and the forests that help fight it has fallen dramatically in 2025. While over half of respondents (52%) say war and conflict are their top global concerns, only 31% prioritise climate change.
This 21-point gap signals a worrying shift away from environmental awareness at a time when forests remain one of the planet’s most potent natural tools for carbon capture, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience.
Climate change concern declines across Europe
The FSC x IPSOS Global Consumer Awareness Survey 2025 interviewed over 40,000 people across 50 markets. Historical comparisons are based on the 32 markets that were surveyed in both 2022 and 2025.
The report, unveiled at the FSC’s General Assembly in October, revealed a striking decline in public concern over climate change across France, Denmark, Spain, the UK, and Germany since 2022. On average, public concern has dropped by 6.5-10 percentage points.
- France: 52% → 45% (–7)
- Denmark: 51% → 41% (–10)
- Spain: 44% → 37.5% (–6.5)
- UK: 45% → 35% (–10)
- Germany: 42% → 34% (–8)
These countries are Europe’s largest economies and climate leaders; however, public concern for climate change is shifting, despite the EU’s push to advance its ambitious climate legislation.
“This concern gap shows why we must work with the concrete realities of people’s lives if we are to address climate change effectively. The Ipsos survey reveals a clear contradiction: people report lower concerns about climate change, yet they reward brands that can demonstrate sustainability. This disconnect between abstract concepts and practical choices points to a clear need: make climate action tangible in daily life”, said Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC Director General.
Climate change is felt the most in forests
While “climate change” may rank lower as a global concern in the 50-country survey, its impacts on forests, including wildfires, droughts, floods, and biodiversity loss, remain top priorities in the forestry sector.
‘Loss of plant and animal species’ and ‘deforestation’ consistently appear as the most concerning forestry issues in those markets.
Report highlights from different regions
The report highlighted how climate change and forest concerns vary across different regions.
- Asia Pacific: South Korea has the highest levels of climate change concern among the 50 surveyed countries, while Japan and Thailand are experiencing rising concern. Australia and China have recorded the most significant decline in concern.
- Latin America:Illegal logging is the top forest-related concern in the region, with an average of 25%. Latin America stands out as the only region where both forest fires and deforestation are among the primary environmental worries. In Brazil, concern about climate change has almost doubled since 2022, increasing from 18% to 33%.
- Africa: Public concern about climate change in Kenya decreased significantly, falling by 12 points since 2022 (from 42% to 30%).
- North America: In Canada, concerns about climate change have decreased, even as wildfires (46%) remain the primary worry for people regarding forestry.
With the rise in wars, pandemics, and inflation, climate change is not at the forefront of political and consumer consciousness. Yet people continue to seek sustainable, climate-friendly products. They are concerned about plant and animal species within forests, with the majority expecting companies to ensure that their products do not contribute to deforestation.
The FSC calls upon leaders to create integrated strategies that address environmental action. Social and economic security, ensuring climate change remains a priority.
