The report by the Research Institute Social Cohesion (FGZ), in which the University of Bremen is involved, concludes that 83 percent of respondents are concerned about the consequences of climate change and 71 percent believe that politicians should do more to combat climate change. However, 49 percent fear job losses as a result of climate policy and 42 percent are concerned about their standard of living.
“The transformation is less about ‘whether’ and more about ‘how’,” says FGZ Director and co-editor of the study Olaf Groh-Samberg, professor of sociology at the University of Bremen. “Our analyses reveal a group that clearly shows recognition of the risks and dangers of climate change, but at the same time is very concerned about the social consequences of climate policy.”

Five Climate Types

The researchers have identified five groups: the determined (18%), the concerned (18%), the agreeable (31%), the indifferent (25%), and the rejecters (8%).
The rejecters criticize climate policy and fear economic consequences. The determined are convinced of the urgency of comprehensive measures. In between stand the concerned. They share the climate awareness of the determined – and the economic concerns of the rejecters. This makes them a key group.

Climate Policy Must Take Social Inequalities into Account

The concerned could support the transformation – if their social concerns are taken seriously. The willingness among the population is there: 53 percent are convinced that a fundamental change in the economic system is needed to combat climate change. The determined and the concerned are united in their demand for redistribution and social equality.

Small Group, Big Impact

The 8 percent who reject climate policy are politically active. Their positions are disseminated on social media – often with misinformation. This could be one reason why 70 percent fear that climate policy will exacerbate social conflicts. “If the attitude of those who reject climate policy is considered widespread, ambitious climate policy appears to be a threat to social cohesion,” says Olaf Groh-Samberg.

Unique Dataset

The Cohesion Report uses various data sources to analyze social cohesion. The representative study “German Social Cohesion Panel” (SCP) is based on a survey of over 8,000 people throughout Germany, which was conducted at the end of 2022. The results reflect key social constellations, the development of which are continuously monitored and evaluated. Current data provides confirmation that climate protection continues to be a high priority for the population. "Our data allows us to analyze attitudes toward climate change among the population not only in relation to the socio-demographic background of the respondents. We can also link them to socio-political attitudes, experiences of cohesion in everyday life, and trust in political institutions," explains co-editor Dr. Nils Teichler from the University of Bremen. 

About the Research Institute Social Cohesion (FGZ)

The Research Institute Social Cohesion (FGZ) is an interdisciplinary, knowledge-transfer-oriented, and geographically distributed institute. It was established in 2020 and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The FGZ combines basic research on social cohesion with application-oriented research on current challenges from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. To support its work, the FGZ has set up its own research data center (FDZ), which collects, documents, and disseminates data.

Further Information: 

The complete Cohesion Report is available for download (in German only) here: https://fgz-risc.de/zweiter-zusammenhaltsbericht

Climate Type Calculator: The FGZ offers a climate type calculator: What climate type are you? What connects you to others? www.fgz-risc.de/klimatypenrechner
https://fgz-risc.de/en/

Contact:

Kristin Voigtländer
Press and Public Relations
Research Institute Social Cohesion
Phone: +49 341 97-37762
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