A snapshot of the divisions and consensus in Spanish society on climate change

To better understand the consensus and divisions around the crucial challenge of the green transition, EsadeEcPol has conducted a survey that is pioneering in its breadth and depth. Here we present its key results and the resulting snapshot of public opinion. 

The fundamental consensus begins with the high importance attached to the problem of climate change: 8.3 out of 10 on average. For many, moreover, it should be a priority: it is one of the three most important problems for a quarter of citizens (the fifth most mentioned in those positions); and for 24%, Spain’s involvement in the fight against it should be “complete”, with the average position on a 0-10 scale, where 0 would be “no” involvement, standing at a high 7.4. Not even a tenth of citizens are below 5.

Moderate positions are the most common on the dilemma of giving up individual freedoms to fight climate change: more than half of the population would be at points 4-5-6 on a 0-10 scale where 0 would be maximum priority to climate change and 10 to individual freedoms. That said, if we split the scale in half, a third of the population would prefer the first option (37%) and another third (36%) opts for individual freedoms. This division is more symmetrical than that observed in other debates, such as economic or migration policy. 

Moving down to the level of specific policies, with a focus on transport, fuels and agricultural meat production as debates that have attracted attention in Spain: 

→  In the abstract, a relative majority of Spaniards are in favour of more taxes on companies or individuals to fight climate change, although intermediate positions on the scale are again the most common. 

→  Moreover, when we move to specifics, it turns out that a majority (this time much clearer and skewed towards opposing positions) would oppose raising taxes on meat consumption (68.5%, with 36% strongly against), petrol (64%, with 34% strongly against) or registration taxes on large vehicles (43%). 

→  Opposition to bans is sharper in transport: 55% against banning diesel vehicles (25% strongly against), 47% in the case of lorries, and 49% against banning the purchase of non-organic meat. However, there is a relative majority in favour of banning industrial-scale meat farms (46%). 

Breaking these positions down by party, we find that: 

→ Spaniards perceive the positions expressed by the main parties as divided on climate change, but this division is considered smaller than on other public policies. 

→  By contrast, the division among citizens themselves according to how they recall voting is greater, and is especially intense regarding the regulation of industrial-scale farms (the greatest distance being between UP and Vox voters) and, to a lesser extent, regarding bans or tax increases on large or diesel vehicles. 

Socio-economic factors also play an important role in each citizen’s position: 

→  Women attach more importance to climate change, are more willing to make sacrifices and take policy positions more favourable to the fight against climate change than men, especially regarding changing their own lifestyle, redirecting public spending to this goal and banning industrial-scale meat farms. 

→  Young people (under 35) also attach more importance to climate change and are more willing to make sacrifices than older people, although the linear pattern blurs on specific measures such as the petrol tax (with middle-aged people most opposed). 

→  Professional social classes with high levels of education tend to be over-represented in concern about climate change, and are more willing to make sacrifices in favour of collective action, with exceptions such as giving up their lifestyle. Opposition to specific bans and taxes is highest among the middle and working classes.  

→  Inhabitants of small municipalities tend to attach more, not less, importance to climate change, and are not necessarily less willing to make specific sacrifices than those in large cities. Opposition to banning diesel cars, by contrast, is much higher in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, but the same does not apply to banning industrial-scale meat farms, where opinion is more divided.