Government publishes the latest 'Climate Conversations' report on climate attitudes in Ireland
- Published on: 23 June 2025
- Last updated on: 25 June 2025
- Report expands our understanding of capacity for communities in Ireland to take climate action
- 2025 "Climate Conversations" consultation now open
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has published the latest in a series of annual 'Climate Conversation' public consultation reports. This fourth report, which gathered 1,949 responses through an online public consultation between May and September 2024, provides critical insights into Irish citizens' attitudes, understanding, and involvement in climate action.
The report, 'Climate Conversations 2024: Deepening our Understanding of Community Climate Action', builds on previous 'Climate Conversations' reports to support the development of citizen engagement activities as part of the Climate Action Plan. The report also complements the Environmental Protection Agency's 'Climate Change in the Irish Mind' study, adding further insight into Ireland’s attitudes and behaviours concerning climate action.
Where previous 'Climate Conversation' reports focused on the barriers to individuals taking climate actions, this latest report reveals the extent to which community climate action is taking place amongst those responding to the survey. The report highlights the potential role of community involvement in addressing climate challenges, with 61% of respondents already actively engaged in at least one local organisation.
Among all community activities carried out by respondents, 54% include climate action elements. Community initiatives are most commonly focused on litter and waste management (31%), active mobility such as walking, cycling, and public transport (29%), and land use/forestry initiatives (26%).
Among those not currently involved in community climate action, there is substantial interest in participation, with 60% expressing interest in growing their own food in community gardens, 58% in active mobility initiatives, and 52% in circular economy projects such as repair and reuse activities.
The research reveals that communities possess invaluable local knowledge about specific climate challenges they face and can contribute to developing more effective, context-specific policies. Community-driven solutions, such as the Dingle Peninsula 2030 project highlighted in the report, can successfully foster long-term behavioural change, build collective responsibility, and maximise the use of local expertise and resources.
The report recommends establishing community climate hubs, addressing misperceptions about electric vehicles, and enhancing cross-government collaboration on climate initiatives.
Today's publication also signals the launch of the 2025 Climate Conversations consultation, which will continue to build on our understanding of citizen and community engagement in the climate agenda. The consultation, which will be open for a period of 12 weeks, invites the public to give their perspectives on climate action in their home, lives and communities.
Other Key Findings
Emotional Response: Frustration is the dominant emotion regarding climate change, reported by 67% of respondents, followed by worry (54%) and powerlessness (51%).
Misconceptions Persist: The report identifies continued misunderstandings about which actions most effectively reduce carbon emissions, with many respondents underestimating the benefits of electric vehicle adoption.
Personal Responsibility: 76% of respondents feel they themselves could do more to address climate change, up from previous findings.
The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien, welcomed the report saying:
"This report provides us with a great understanding of the issues that our citizens and communities really care about when it comes to climate action. Crucially, it provides us with actionable insights on where we can do better in terms of education, engagement and empowerment – so that every person across Ireland is equipped with the tools to take climate actions in their own lives and their own communities. I'm also delighted to begin the next iteration of our Climate Conversations consultation, which provides an important ongoing feedback loop to ensure that we are engaging with our citizens in a meaningful and impactful way to best deliver on the ambition of our Climate Action Plan."
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA)
The National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) is Ireland's national programme to engage, enable and empower stakeholders and citizens across society to take climate action. In partnership with Ipsos B&A, the Dialogue has engaged over 12,000 citizens via the annual 'Climate Conversations' consultation. It has also involved over 1,100 stakeholders through 6 National Climate Stakeholder Forum events, three National Youth Assemblies on Climate, and active engagement with populations most impacted by the transition to a carbon-neutral future.