New Zealanders are more concerned about climate change than Australians, a new report finds, and want developed countries to do more to curb emissions.
An international study of public opinion by market researchers Ipsos, released to coincide with Earth Day shows attitudes towards global warming in 33 nations.
The headline findings are that fewer people - down 13 per cent in three years - feel they will be failing future generations by not taking action on climate change.
Some people - particularly young men - have given up on mitigation with a third of millennial and Gen Z males saying "it is too late to do anything about climate change".
However, Australians are the least likely nationality of the 33 surveyed to be jaded, with just 16 per cent agreeing with that statement.
While Australians believe more could be done, they don't believe the government is leading the way.
Just 24 per cent of Australians say their country is a global leader on climate change - below the global average of 31 per cent - with New Zealand on 32 per cent.
"Despite rising global apathy towards climate change, New Zealanders believe that it's not too late to act," Ipsos NZ managing director Carin Hercock said.
A comparison of attitudes shows New Zealanders are more supportive of climate action than Australians.
Asked whether government, business and individuals should do more, New Zealanders offered support above the global average while Australians offered less.
On the key statement "my country should do more in the fight against climate change", 57 per cent of Australians and 64 per cent of New Zealanders agreed.
More New Zealanders also believed rich countries should do more than developing nations.
Some 61 per cent of Australians agreed with that statement, compared with 74 per cent of New Zealanders.
TRANS-TASMAN VIEWS ON CLIMATE
* "The government has a clear plan in place for how government, businesses and people themselves are going to work together to tackle climate change"
Support for statement - global average: 31 per cent, Australia: 24, NZ: 32
- "My country is a global leader on climate change"
Support - global: 31, Australia: 24, NZ: 32
- "My country should do more in the fight against climate change"
Support - global: 63, Australia: 57, NZ: 64
- "Climate change is beyond our control - it's too late to do anything about it"
Support - global: 25, Australia: 16, NZ: 20
- "The negative impact of climate change is too far off in the future for me to worry about it"
Support - global: 23, Australia: 19, NZ: 15
- "Developed countries should do more to combat climate change"
Support - global: 70, Australia: 61, NZ: 74
- Source: 2024 Ipsos Earth Day survey: Public opinion on climate change
Australian Associated Press
