From the Environment to the Forefront of Public Concern
The environment has emerged as a significant issue for Spaniards, ranking as the fifth most important concern. A recent September Barometer from the Center for Sociological Studies shows rising attention to environmental topics alongside education and the war in Ukraine, with many Spaniards recognizing it as a personally relevant problem.
Nearly nine out of ten Spaniards, 88.9 percent, believe that climate change is occurring now, while 8.6 percent remain skeptical and 2.2 percent do not believe it. A strong majority, 87 percent, think the government should implement robust measures to address it.
The CIS survey also examined the government’s energy-saving actions taken this summer, including limits on heating and air conditioning. About a third of respondents, 33.3 percent, strongly agreed with these limits, and 27.4 percent supported them for cooling in homes.
On climate change, 88.9 percent affirm its occurrence. About 45.4 percent are very worried and 44 percent are quite worried, while 8.4 percent feel only a little concern and 1 percent feel no concern at all.
In total, 40.4 percent of the 3,837 Spaniards surveyed expressed being very worried about the situation, and 39.1 percent echoed that level of worry. A minority, 7.5 percent, care very little, and 0.9 percent do not care at all.
Two Months of Shift: Environment Jumps to Fifth Place
It is notable that discussions about the environment intensified, driven by energy-saving measures and the economic effects of the war in Ukraine. The environment now accounts for 14.6 percent of listed concerns, rising to fifth place with 2.7 percent more concern than in July, when it stood much lower at twenty-second.
Awareness campaigns have risen in conjunction with heatwaves and droughts this summer, underscoring the link between climate events and public perception. The environment sits among the top three concerns for 14.6 percent of respondents, while 2.6 percent consider it the single biggest issue in Spain, 5.4 percent rank it second, and 6.6 percent third.
Overall, the environment trails the economic crisis, unemployment, political problems, and general health, yet it remains ahead of rises in education costs and electricity prices, ranking ninth and tenth overall. It even outpaces concerns about corruption, youth opportunities, immigration, and the war in Ukraine.
Despite this, a large majority—87 percent—believe the government should take energetic actions to address climate change, while 9.4 percent think otherwise.
Measures to Fight the Problem
Among the most supported measures, expanding public transportation commands 59.9 percent of respondents who strongly or highly agree, with 30.3 percent in agreement. The next strongest measure involves increasing subsidies for households to improve energy efficiency, such as replacing appliances or enhancing thermal insulation. This option receives 51.4 percent strong agreement and 35 percent strong agreement for the second stance, with a small portion (3 percent) expressing moderate support.
There is somewhat less enthusiasm for energy-saving rules, such as limiting air conditioning in public buildings to not exceed 27 degrees Celsius. This policy garners 27.4 percent strong agreement and 30.02 percent moderate agreement.
Similarly, limiting heating in public facilities to a maximum of 19 degrees garners 33.3 percent strong agreement and 33.2 percent high agreement, with 17.2 percent partial agreement and 13.7 percent little or no agreement.
Another popular idea is to reward industries and companies that reduce energy consumption, with 35 percent strongly supporting and 37.3 percent highly supporting this incentive.
Opinion is more divided on the proposal to restrict the circulation of non-electric cars on certain city days, with 22.7 percent strongly agreeing and 26.1 percent highly agreeing, while 25.1 percent agree slightly and 21 percent disagree entirely.
There is also debate over a policy to slow down vehicles on highways to reduce fuel use, with 21.6 percent strongly disagreeing, 24.5 percent somewhat agreeing, 24.2 percent strongly agreeing, and 27.4 percent firmly agreeing.
In this context, the dialogue around environmental policy continues to evolve as the nation weighs practical steps and their social and economic implications.
The topic remains a central portion of the public agenda as communities seek sustainable solutions that balance energy costs, mobility, and environmental protection.
Note: The above synthesis reflects survey findings and public discourse on climate change, government action, and energy policies in Spain. It is designed to present a clear, balanced view of how Spaniards perceive and respond to environmental challenges.