Climate worry outweighs green transition concerns across the Nordics

Across the Nordic Region, public concern about climate change is widespread and significantly outweighs concern about potential negative impacts of the green transition. A 2022 Nordregio survey found that 71% of respondents consider climate change a serious or very serious problem. This concern is particularly pronounced among women (79%), young people (74%), university-educated individuals (83%) and urban residents (82%). Country-level differences also emerge (Figure 1): In 2022, the proportion of concerned respondents was highest in Denmark (80%) and Sweden (75%) and lowest in Greenland (40%) and the Faroe Islands (54%).

In contrast, concerns about the impacts of the green transition are more moderate. About 27% of respondents worry about job losses and 51% expect higher prices and an increased cost of living. These concerns are more prevalent among men, people working in carbon-heavy sectors, and residents of rural areas, towns and suburbs. Urban residents, women and those employed outside carbon-intensive sectors tend to be less concerned.

Overall, the data suggest that while some respondents anticipate challenges linked to climate policies, concern about climate change itself is more widespread. This provides a strong foundation for ambitious climate policymaking. However, the survey results also underscore the need for careful policy design and communication that acknowledges and addresses specific concerns of rural residents and workers in high-emission sectors.

Prioritise transparent communication about the urgency of climate action, while acknowledging and addressing the potential adverse impacts of climate policies.

Tapia, C., Lundgren, A. & Sánchez Gassen, N. (forthcoming). Scaling fairness: Balancing self-interest, community needs and societal justice for public acceptance of climate change mitigation policies in the Nordic Region.

Tapia, C., Sánchez Gassen, N., & Lundgren, A. (2023). In all fairness. Perceptions of climate policies and the green transition in the Nordic Region. Nordregio Report 2023:5, Stockholm: Nordregio. DOI: 10.6027/R2023:5.1403-2503.