In 2025, as record-breaking heatwaves grip continents and biodiversity losses accelerate, public opinion on environmental protection has never been more pivotal. A comprehensive Ipsos Global Advisor Survey conducted across 33 countries in early 2025 reveals stark variations in how citizens rank the environment among their nation’s most pressing concerns. With global temperatures on track to exceed 1.5°C thresholds, 74% of respondents worldwide express concern about climate impacts in their countries, yet prioritization differs dramatically—from Brazil’s 44% to Saudi Arabia’s 21%. This article explores these figures, drawing from Ipsos’ 2025 People and Climate Change report and Gallup’s environmental trends, to uncover why developing nations often lead in urgency while others lag. As COP30 approaches in Brazil, understanding these sentiments is key to mobilizing action. We’ll dissect each country’s context, factors driving priorities, and implications for policy in 2025.
Brazil: 44% – Amazon Defenders Lead the Charge in 2025
Topping the 2025 list at 44%, Brazil’s respondents underscore the Amazon’s existential crisis as a national imperative. In 2025, deforestation rates, though down 20% from 2024 due to stricter enforcement under President Lula, still claim 1.5 million hectares annually, per Earth.Org data. Floods and wildfires ravaged the Pantanal in early 2025, displacing thousands and amplifying public alarm. Ipsos notes that 80% of Brazilians link environmental degradation to economic woes like agriculture losses, fueling this high prioritization. Urban youth in São Paulo, hit by air pollution spikes, drive activism—2025’s March for the Planet drew 2 million. Yet, agribusiness lobbies temper policy, with only 55% supporting carbon taxes. Brazil’s 44% reflects a resilient call for global solidarity, positioning it as a climate diplomacy powerhouse.
Indonesia: 41% – Archipelagic Vulnerability Fuels 2025 Urgency
Indonesia’s 41% in 2025 stems from its frontline exposure to rising seas and haze disasters. As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, 2025 saw Jakarta’s “Great Garuda” seawall project accelerate amid submersion threats to 40 million coastal residents, according to the World Economic Forum. Palm oil-driven deforestation exacerbates emissions, but public sentiment, per Ipsos, ties 41% prioritization to health impacts—respiratory illnesses surged 15% in Sumatra’s 2025 fires. Youth-led movements, inspired by Fridays for Future, push for renewable transitions; 70% favor solar incentives. Economic ties to mining complicate matters, yet Indonesia’s 41% signals a shift toward green tourism, with Bali’s eco-resorts booming.
Italy: 40% – Mediterranean Heatwaves Heighten 2025 Concerns
Italy’s 40% ranking in 2025 mirrors its Mediterranean meltdown, with 2025’s summer droughts slashing olive yields by 30% and sparking water rationing in Rome. Gallup’s historical trends show a 10-point rise since 2020, driven by Venice’s chronic flooding and Sicily’s wildfires. Ipsos data highlights intergenerational divides: 55% of under-30s prioritize environment over economy, versus 30% of seniors. EU Green Deal funds bolster 2025 initiatives like afforestation, but agricultural lobbies resist. Tourists, numbering 60 million annually, amplify calls for sustainable practices—Italy’s 40% embodies a cultural renaissance toward eco-heritage preservation.
Mexico: 40% – Tied for Third, Droughts Dominate 2025 Discourse
Matching Italy at 40%, Mexico’s 2025 prioritization surges amid the worst drought in 70 years, affecting 80% of farmland. The Maya Train project’s environmental fallout—deforestation in the Yucatán—has polarized opinions, but Ipsos reveals 65% view climate migration as a top threat. Urban centers like Mexico City, sinking 10 inches yearly, fuel activism; 2025’s Youth Climate Summit mobilized 50,000. Nearshoring booms strain resources, yet 40% support reflects optimism in renewables—solar capacity doubled in 2025. Mexico’s stance pressures NAFTA partners for joint action.
India: 37% – Monsoon Mayhem and Pollution Push 2025 Priorities
India’s 37% in 2025 captures the tension between rapid growth and ecological strain. Delhi’s AQI hit 500 in January 2025, prompting nationwide mask mandates, while erratic monsoons flooded Mumbai, displacing millions. Pew-inspired surveys via Ipsos show 77% satisfaction with national efforts, but youth (45% prioritization) demand more—air quality tops urban concerns. Initiatives like the 2025 National Green Hydrogen Mission aim for net-zero by 2070, yet coal dependency persists. India’s 37% highlights a burgeoning middle class advocating for cleaner Ganges and sustainable urban planning.
China: 33% – State-Led Green Shift in 2025
At 33%, China’s 2025 figure balances state ambition with public restraint. As the top emitter, 2025’s carbon peak efforts—EV sales up 40%—align with 91% supporting mitigation, per EU surveys adapted by Ipsos. Urban smog in Beijing persists, but afforestation planted 6 billion trees since 2018. Rural respondents prioritize economy (only 25% environment), per Ipsos, reflecting controlled discourse. Belt and Road’s green clauses signal global leadership, making China’s 33% a pragmatic pivot toward sustainability.
United Kingdom: 32% – Post-Brexit Blues Temper 2025 Eco-Focus
The UK’s 32% in 2025 dips amid cost-of-living crises overshadowing net-zero goals. 2025’s heat dome scorched crops, raising food prices 15%, yet Gallup notes only 57% see government doing “too little.” Londoners (40%) outpace rural areas, per Ipsos, with HS2 rail debates pitting growth against emissions. 73% back stronger policies, fueling 2025’s Green New Deal revival. The UK’s 32% underscores a need for narrative shifts to elevate environment over austerity.
Nigeria: 28% – Resource Conflicts Eclipse 2025 Environment
Nigeria’s 28% reflects oil spills in the Niger Delta contaminating waterways for 5 million, per 2025 Concern Worldwide reports. Insecurity and poverty dominate, but youth protests in Lagos demand clean energy—solar adoption rose 25%. Ipsos highlights gender gaps: women at 35% due to health impacts. Nigeria’s 28% calls for international aid to integrate eco-justice with development.
United States: 27% – Polarized Views in 2025’s Election Year
The U.S.’s 27% in 2025, per Gallup’s record 48% viewing warming as a “serious threat,” reveals partisan rifts—Democrats at 45%, Republicans at 15%. Wildfires and hurricanes cost $200 billion in 2025, yet economy trumps environment for 60%. California’s 60% prioritization contrasts heartland lows, per PPIC. The U.S.’s 27% urges bridging divides through incentives like IRA extensions.
Saudi Arabia: 21% – Oil Dependency Shadows 2025 Green Ambitions
Lowest at 21%, Saudi Arabia’s 2025 figure clashes with Vision 2030’s renewables push—solar farms now power 50% of NEOM. Desertification affects 90% of land, but economic diversification mutes public outcry, per Ipsos. Youth (30%) favor change, eyeing UAE models. Saudi’s 21% highlights tensions between heritage and sustainability.
Drivers of Variance: Why Priorities Differ in 2025
Ipsos’ 2025 analysis attributes highs in Brazil and Indonesia to direct impacts—disasters boost concern 20-30%. Wealthier nations like the UK and U.S. (32% and 27%) prioritize economy amid inflation, while media exposure correlates with +10% rates. Globally, 89% want more action, but perception gaps hinder—people overestimate opposition by 26%. Youth lead, with Gen Z at 50% prioritization.
Implications for Policy and Action in 2025
These 2025 figures demand tailored strategies: High-priority nations need funding for adaptation, low ones awareness campaigns. With 80% global support for stronger action per UNDP’s Peoples’ Climate Vote, 2025’s G20 could leverage this. Businesses face ESG pressures—only 22% trust green claims. Collaborative efforts, from reforestation to carbon pricing, hinge on aligning public will with leadership.
Conclusion: Charting a Greener 2025 Path Forward
In 2025, from Brazil’s 44% to Saudi Arabia’s 21%, environmental protection’s priority varies but underscores universal stakes. As Ipsos and Gallup affirm, bridging perception gaps and amplifying voices—especially youth—can propel collective action. With polycrises mounting, 2025 offers a window: Invest in resilience, foster dialogue, and turn concern into change. The planet’s future depends on it.
