There is broad public support for moving India’s economy toward renewable energy. Citizens expect this transition to drive improvements across several sectors: 43% believe it will enhance air quality, 44% anticipate better public health outcomes, and 45% foresee a boost in employment. Urban Indians also expect gains in food security (43%), global health (41%), and even reductions in natural disasters and threats to biodiversity, each cited by roughly 43%, according to the Ipsos Earth Day 2025 Global Report.
This belief aligns with India’s national goal of achieving net zero by 2070, and many Indians appear confident in the environmental, economic, and societal advantages that a fossil-free future offers.
Awareness Gaps Cloud Climate Understanding
Despite strong support for green energy, the survey uncovers widespread misperceptions about global sustainability issues. Only 25% of Indians correctly identify that just 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track for achievement by 2030. The rest significantly overestimate progress.
Confusion also surrounds waste management and biodiversity loss. Only 24% know that about one-fifth of global waste is sustainably managed. Awareness of species extinction is equally low, with many underestimating the number of species currently at risk.
Water scarcity, a growing crisis in India, is misunderstood too. Just 27% of respondents correctly answer that about half the world experienced severe water shortages last year. These misperceptions indicate a need for clearer, widespread education on sustainability metrics.
Public Attitudes Range from Activist to Apathetic
Ipsos categorizes global citizens into five climate engagement segments: activists, willing contributors, discerning realists, passive compilers, and disengaged distancers. In India, the largest proportion of people fall into the “disengaged distancer” category, expressing limited personal responsibility for climate action. Only 54% feel an urgent need to act or believe in the moral obligation to safeguard the environment for future generations.
This detachment suggests that while many Indians recognize climate threats, fewer translate concern into meaningful action—pointing to a gap between awareness and accountability.
Brands Have an Opportunity—and Responsibility
The report urges companies to assess their position on the sustainability spectrum and tailor engagement strategies to India’s diverse consumer segments. Encouragingly, 40% of Indians trust companies’ environmental claims—nearly double the global average of 22%. This trust offers a unique window for brands to lead climate conversations and influence behavior by showcasing transparency and responsibility in their practices.
Regional Trends Reflect a Mixed Global Climate Mood
The Ipsos study spans 32 countries and offers a broader view of how Asia-Pacific (APEC) markets perceive climate progress. Indonesia (87%), the Philippines (90%), and Thailand (79%) report high levels of climate concern, while in Japan and India, concern is present but momentum seems to be waning. In India, belief in the nation’s climate leadership has declined—from 71% in 2023 to 56% in 2025—even as concern rises.
This regional disparity underscores the urgency of turning awareness into action. Climate optimism, while valuable, must be matched by consistent public and private sector efforts to drive meaningful, measurable change.
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