The fight against climate change: a top priority for 63% of the Spanish population

    • The Spanish Fair Transition Observatory recently presented its third national report on society’s perception of the ecological transition in Spain
    • In addition, 80.6% of the population firmly believes that climate change is a reality
    • Most people associate the transition with benefits: 67% believe it will improve air and water quality, and 62% consider that it will have a positive effect on health
    • See the full report here: download
The Spanish Fair Transition Observatory (OTJ) recently presented its third report on society’s perception of the ecological transition in Spain. The study, promoted by Fundación Moeve and Red2Red, is a space for reflection and shared knowledge, created to support the transition toward a sustainable energy model by providing information for decision making.

The fight against climate change remains a top priority

Sixty-three percent of the Spanish population believes that combating climate change should be a priority for action. This represents a decrease of 5% compared to last year's report, but it continues to be a concern for the majority of people. Support is higher among women and people living in large cities, while young men are increasingly skeptical.

In parallel, knowledge about the ecological transition is growing — 47% say they understand the meaning of this term — although age and gender gaps persist. While there is still a broad consensus regarding the existence of climate change, a slight drop in perception can be seen. In 2025, 76% of young people aged between 18 and 30 claim to firmly believe in climate change, compared to 90% in 2023.

Incentives, feelings, and sustainable habits

Society continues to show a clear preference for incentive-based measures, including subsidies for vulnerable households, support for sustainable businesses, and awareness campaigns, whereas fiscal measures such as environmental taxes enjoy a lower level of support.

As for the emotions associated with the transition, positive feelings predominate for the first time: interest (25%), hope (24%), and responsibility (20%) outperform helplessness or uncertainty, which are on the decline.

Sustainable habits are also observed in daily life: 68% declare that they recycle, and nearly 50% travel on public transport, on foot, or by bicycle. In addition, 51% of the population believes that one of the main advantages of electric cars is that they are environmentally friendly, although they note that there are several barriers, including the lack of charging points (37%), range (36%), and price (36%).

Perception of the future

The impact on employment is a key aspect: 49% anticipate job opportunities linked to the transition, compared to 44% who fear a drop in their field.

The ecological transition is seen as an opportunity for the present (53%) and especially for the future (67%), as long as it manages to be inclusive and takes into account different social realities and economic conditions.

Anabel Suso, report coordinator and Public Policy Innovation Director at Red2Red, indicated that "This year’s data confirms a slight decrease in support for the fight against climate change, especially among younger generations, which reflects the need to strengthen the links between environmental discourse and social realities. The growth of the skeptical group shows that the transition will only be fair if it is also understandable, accessible, and affordable for all citizens."

Meanwhile, Teresa Mañueco, director of Fundación Moeve, highlighted the importance of continuing to produce this type of report.

“We must continue to listen to society and examine how their perception of such a complex and cross-cutting topic develops over time. This report not only reveals people's perceptions, but also identifies opportunities to continue building a more inclusive and effective ecological transition that is more sensitive to the current social and economic context.”

Teresa Mañueco - director of Fundación Moeve

Methodology and new aspects of the study

To prepare the report, a survey was conducted among 3,280 people living in the 17 Autonomous Communities of Spain, with a representative sample design in terms of age, gender, town/city size, and autonomous community. For the first time this year,it included an analysis of mobility patterns and society's perception of electric vehicles, as well as new dimensions regarding health, employment, consumption, and climate policies.

This third national report from the Spanish Fair Transition Observatory confirms the need to continue bringing the ecological transition process closer to the realities and concerns of citizens. Despite the fact that most people continue to believe that the fight against climate change is a top priority, there are some signs of distancing, especially among groups with lower incomes or education levels. The growth of the skeptical group highlights the importance of designing more equitable, accessible, and participatory policies that strengthen the social legitimacy of the transition, with relatable narratives and greater citizen participation. The challenge is not only technical, but also involves communication and economic and emotional aspects.

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