For the third consecutive year, EDF – the world’s leading French state-owned company in low-emission generation – and Ipsos, present the results of the 2021 International Climate Change and Public Opinion Observatory Study, which measures the perceptions and level of commitment of citizens of 30 countries regarding climate change, with results also for Chile.
The study places Chile among the countries most aware of the effects of climate change on the environment. According to the results, eight out of ten Chileans are convinced of the existence of climate change and that it is caused by human activity, with almost zero climate skepticism in our country.
Regarding the perception of Chileans about climate change, 91% declare that they have noticed its effects in their region, exceeding the world average of 71%. When asked about the way in which they have experienced the consequences of these climatic disturbances in recent years, the majority indicate that they have done so mainly through droughts (64% Chile vs. 30% world average) and the decrease in the levels of water (60% Chile vs. 33% world average), widely surpassing the results of other countries in these matters.
“At EDF we have established as our reason for being to build a future that is neutral in CO2 emissions thanks to electricity and innovative solutions. As part of this strategic view, EDF is carrying out this study for the third consecutive year, which allows us to understand and measure the perceptions of citizens regarding one of the main challenges we face as humanity, such as climate change, with the aim of advancing in actions to face it together as a society”, says Jean-Lorain Genty, CEO of EDF Andes.
“Chilean men and women are very sensitive to climate change, even much more than other countries that are large emitters of CO2. The result of our long history of natural disasters and the tangible effect of the problem with drought and water scarcity put us in a situation of vulnerability that people are able to perceive clearly”, says Miguel Angel Pinto, Assistant Manager of Public Studies at Ipsos.
On the other hand, Chileans consider that the fight against climate change is largely an issue that should be addressed by governments (78%), citizens (51%) and private companies (50%). Among the measures with greater acceptance to be adopted in the country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, those associated with the incorporation of clean energies stand out, such as the installation of solar panels (93% acceptance) and the construction of wind plants ( 83% acceptance). While the measures associated with the implementation of taxes to encourage less domestic waste or increase the value of more polluting energy sources, have low acceptance.
Climate Change in Chile: Contrasts between evidence and citizen perception
The results of this study were presented at the seminar “Climate Change in Chile: Contrasts between evidence and citizen perception”, where the data was contrasted with the results of the reports prepared by the working groups of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). . Participating in the activity were Francisco Meza, a researcher at the UC Global Change Center and author of the report of the Working Group II on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, part of the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC; Alex Godoy, director of the Center for Research on Sustainability and Strategic Resource Management (CISGER) UDD and reviewing editor of the Working Group III report on Climate Change Mitigation, part of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report; Miguel Angel Pinto, Deputy Manager of Public Studies at Ipsos; and Alejandra Ojeda, Ipsos Public Affairs Manager.
“The evidence is unequivocal, climate change today is a threat. In this context, the data presented by the IPCC reports, although essential for decision-making, does not replace the action that governments, business sectors and citizens as a whole must promote to advance adaptation measures,” said Francisco Meza. Along these lines, Alex Godoy indicated that “the evidence that we report to the IPCC is precisely that today there are actions that have mitigated climate change and from the citizen point of view there are changes in trends and behaviors that are leading to reductions. The challenge today is to advance in public policies and the measures that are required to promote and achieve these changes in trend.”
Relive the seminar for the presentation of the results of the 2021 International Climate Change and Public Opinion Observatory Study by EDF and Ipsos here: https://uddtv.udd.cl/streaming/charla-change-climatico-en-chile-contrastes-entre-evidencia-y-percepcion-citizen/
