Mega-Survey On Climate Issues – 70 Percent People Want Transition Away From Fossil Fuels : UN

To persuade the governments of the world to transition away from fossil fuels which they had signed at COP28 last December, the UN had encouraging news. In a mega-survey on climate issues, covering more than 75,000 people in 77 countries, about 70% said their country should replace fossil fuels with renewable energy – either quickly or very quickly.Support was high even in big fossil fuel producers like Nigeria, South Africa, Iran and Saudi Arabia, with Russia the odd one out and the US divided. The survey, was commissioned by Earth4All and the Global Commons Alliance, which explored support for economic and political transformation in 18 of the G20 nations.

The findings come as finance ministers from G20 countries, including the United States, China, and India, prepare to meet in Brazil this July. For the first time, a wealth tax is on the agenda as these nations deliberate on strategies to address economic and environmental challenges.

Tax the rich, say a majority of adults across 17 1 G20 countries surveyed

 Across 17 2 G20 countries surveyed, a majority of adults (68% 3 ) support the policy proposal where wealthy people pay a higher tax on their wealth, as a means of funding major changes to our economy and lifestyles.

 When thinking about climate change and protecting nature, 71% of people across 18 G20 countries surveyed believe major action is needed immediately – within the next decade – to reduce carbon emissions.

 Higher carbon taxes, higher progressive taxation on income and higher tax rates for large businesses also receive support from a majority across the 174 G20 countries surveyed, to fund major changes to our economy and lifestyles.

 People want political and economic reform. Two in three people across 175 G20 countries surveyed (68%) agree that the way the economy works should prioritise the health and wellbeing of people and nature rather than focusing solely on profit and increasing wealth.

A new survey of adult citizens in 18 of the world’s largest economies has revealed majority support for tax reforms and broader political and economic reform. (Not all questions were asked in China, as indicated when findings reference 17 G20 countries.)

Around two-thirds (68%) of citizens across 17 6 G20 countries surveyed back a wealth tax on wealthy people as a means of funding major changes to our economy and lifestyle, with only 11% opposed, while 70% support higher rates of income tax on wealthy people, and 69% favour higher tax rates on large businesses, according to the survey conducted by Ipsos.

Support for a wealth tax on wealthy people is highest in Indonesia (86%), Turkey (78%), the UK (77%) and India (74%). Support is lowest in Saudi Arabia (54%), and Argentina (54%), but still over half the respondents surveyed. In the United States, France and Germany around two in three of those surveyed support a wealth tax on wealthy people (67%, 67% and 68% respectively).

Results also show that when thinking about climate change and protecting nature, 71% of citizens in 18 G20 countries surveyed believe the world needs to act immediately, within a decade, to reduce carbon emissions from electricity, transport, food, industry and buildings. This rises to 91% of Mexicans, 83% of South Africans and 81% of Brazilians surveyed. This belief is lowest – but still over half of respondents – in Saudi Arabia (52%), Japan (53%), the United States (62%) and Italy (62%).

The survey is the good news but the bad news is that the energy transition has not even begun at the global level. The latest two new reports on the world’s energy mix this week from renewables community REN21 and professional body The Energy Institute, both point out that while renewable power, such as wind and solar, is growing fast, it’s not fast enough to meet rising energy demand. And fossil fuels are filling the gap in energy demand. Overall, they still made up nearly 82% of the world’s primary energy last year, the same level as in 2022, while coal consumption and oil demand continued to inch higher.

The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy