MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 29 January, 2010
Only One Third (35%) Of Global Citizens Say Their Government and
Business Leaders Are Taking the Right Steps and Pace to Prevent
Global Climate Change -
Australians Among the Most Supportive Globally
29 January, 2010: The number of Australians supportive of action by government and business
leaders in this country to prevent climate change is considerably higher than the global average,
ranking fourth in terms of support behind China, India and Turkey.
The new Reuters News poll conducted by Ipsos indicates that only 35% of adults surveyed in 23
countries believe their own government and business leaders are taking the right steps and pace
to prevent global climate change. The same measure in Australia shows a total of 48% of
Australians believe government and business leaders are on the right track to prevent global
climate change.
The survey of over 24,000 adults globally - 1000+ respondents per country - which took place in
the lead up to, during and following the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December, 2009 (all
Australian data collected just before the conference from 5-25 November, 2009) shows a total of
65% of those citizens do not believe that their government and business leaders are taking the
right steps and pace to prevent global climate change.
Of the 23 countries surveyed, only three have a majority of their citizens agree that government
and businesses leaders are appropriately tackling global climate change, China with the most
support (86%), followed by India (60%) and Turkey (54%).
Interestingly, Australia ranks next on the list with just under half (48%) indicating they believe our
government and business leaders are taking the right steps and pace to prevent global climate
change, ahead of the United States (38%) and the United Kingdom (33%).
“The strong support we’re seeing for government and business action on climate change in
Australia may well be an indication of the support for attempted government action, in the form of
the CPRS, which is likely to be reintroduced into Federal Parliament again in a few months,” said
Poppy Wise, Head of Ipsos-Eureka’s Sustainable Communities & Environment Unit.
“In terms of the ranking, I think it’s particularly interesting that the high-emitting countries, China
and India deliver a strong show of support. By agreeing their respective countries are taking
appropriate action, the citizens of China and India reflect the resistance to developing countries
agreeing to emissions reduction targets that was such a crucial issue in negotiations at
Copenhagen,” Wise said.
With respect to demographic findings for the total sample, those most likely to disagree that their
government and business leaders are taking the right steps and pace to prevent global climate
change (65%) are female (67% versus 63% male), older (55+ @ 69%) versus middle aged (35-54
@ 67%) and younger (under age 35 @ 62%), and lower income (67%) versus middle and higher
income (both 63%) citizens.
These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between November 4th, 2009 and January 13th,
2010, on behalf of Thompson Reuters News Service. For this survey an international sample of
24,077 adults aged 18+ were interviewed in a total of 23 countries representing 75% of the world's
GDP. The countries included Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France,
Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, and South Korea, Spain, Sweden,
the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Great Britain, the United States and Turkey. Approximately
1000+ individuals participated on a country by country basis via the Ipsos online panel.
Ends
Available for comment and further information:
Poppy Wise
Director, Sustainable Communities & Environment Unit
Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute
T: 02 9900 5118
M
: 0420 909 159
E: poppy.wise@ipsos.com
About Ipsos
Ipsos is one of the world's leading survey-based marketing research firms. Founded and run by
market research professionals, Ipsos interprets, simulates, and anticipates the needs and reactions of
consumers, customers and citizens – locally, nationally and around the world. Ipsos has a direct
presence in more than 65 countries globally and conducts research in more than 100.
About Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute
The Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute brings together a highly qualified team dedicated to using
research to improve community outcomes. The aim of the organisation is to produce publishable
research to high standards in consultation with experts in their field. The team focuses on providing
thought leadership and acting as a non-partisan think tank and sounding board.
Being part of Ipsos, one of the world’s largest market research companies, means the Institute can
draw upon expertise from comparable countries around the world in conjunction with contributing
skills and experience from across the region.
NEWS 
