The Earth for All Survey 2024 explores public attitudes toward political and economic systems and their readiness for transformation across 22 countries, including 18 G20 nations and four others. Conducted by Ipsos, Earth4All, and the Global Commons Alliance, this report aims to understand the levels of support for societal changes, especially concerning wellbeing economies and responses to climate risks. The survey of 22,000 respondents from different demographic groups reveals a majority consensus on the need for reform at both national and global levels.
Key findings show that 68% of G20 respondents believe that the economy should prioritize health and wellbeing over profit, and 67% agree that economic systems need major reform. There is widespread concern about economic inequality, with 67% agreeing it is a significant issue, and 71% supporting progressive taxation, especially for polluters. Furthermore, 60% support giving legal rights to nature, and 61% support legal rights for future generations, emphasizing global responsibility for environmental sustainability.
The survey also highlights a strong belief in democracy as the preferred political system, with 81% favoring democratic governance over other systems. Trust in government, however, remains low, particularly in Europe and Japan, where citizens express skepticism about both short- and long-term government decisions. This report identifies a growing demand for political and economic reforms, with a focus on sustainability, equality, and systemic transformation.
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Table of Contents
- Slide 1: Earth for All Survey 2024 1
- Slide 2: Contents 2
- Slide 3: Objectives and Methodology. 3
- Slide 4: Study coverage 4
- Slide 6: Country classification 5
- Slide 7: Summary of key findings. 6
- Slide 8: Government and economy - key findings (1) 7
- Slide 9: Government and economy - key findings (2) 8
- Slide 10: Response to policy proposals - key findings (3) 9
- Slide 11: Attitudes towards government and the economy. 10
- Slide 12: Economic inequality is an issue for those surveyed in the G20. However, the link between the economic system and damage to the environmental is not firmly established. And, while the concept of ‘trickle-down’ economics is not always supported, 11
- Slide 13: There is support for wellbeing economies among those surveyed in the G20. 12
- Slide 14: Those who believe themselves to be most exposed to climate threats are most critical of the economic system. Attitudes towards the economic system are fairly consistent across demographic groups, while those who are uninterested with politics e 13
- Slide 15: 14
- Slide 16: Across the G20, those surveyed have low levels of trust in their country’s government. 15
- Slide 17: Trust in government tends to be lowest in European countries, among older people and those dissatisfied with their household financial situation. 16
- Slide 18: There is majority support among those surveyed in the G20 for reform of national and global political and economic systems – with slightly more support for reform at the national level. 17
- Slide 19: Support for reform is fairly consistent across key demographics. Support for local reform is highest among those exposed to climate risks and those dissatisfied with household financial situation. 18
- Slide 20: Support for national and international reform is highest among lower- and upper-middle income countries. 19
- Slide 21: Democracy remains by far the most favoured political system among those surveyed in the G20. 20
- Slide 22: There is more support among those surveyed in the G20 for bigger government rather than smaller, but people are also more likely to believe in the responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves. 21
- Slide 23: Among those surveyed in the G20, law and order, good education and free healthcare are seen as the most important things for governments to provide. 22
- Slide 24: Support for policy proposals. 23
- Slide 25: The majority of people surveyed in the G20 understand the urgency of major action to protect nature and the environment 24
- Slide 26: Among those surveyed in the G20, there is strong support for progressive taxation as a means of funding major changes to the economy and lifestyles. 25
- Slide 27: Support for taxation is consistent across demographic groups. Those exposed to climate and environmental risks and threats, and those engaged in politics, are the most supportive of proposals to tax wealthy individuals and organisations. 26
- Slide 28: While support for taxation tends to be higher in lower and higher-middle income countries, there is relatively consistent support across regions (Japan and KSA excluded). 27
- Slide 29: Support for taxation across income groups is generally in line with those surveyed in the G20 Those with a higher household income show higher support for taxing people and companies that pollute 28
- Slide 30: Over half of people surveyed in the G20 support each of Earth4All’s policy proposals; support is highest for affordable healthcare, policies that support workers and investment in renewable energy. 29
- Slide 31: Support for policies is fairly consistent across demographics (although older people are less supportive of UBI); again, those exposed to climate risks and engaged with politics most support change. 30
- Slide 32: Lower- and higher-middle income countries are much more supportive of proposals than high income countries, although there is majority support across countries. 31
- Slide 33: The majority of people surveyed in the G20 support giving rights to nature in national laws and future generations in international laws. 32
- Slide 34: Support for legal rights for nature and future generations is broadly driven by those exposed to climate risks and lower- and higher-middle income countries. 33
- Slide 35: The majority of people surveyed in the G20 support establishing ways that citizens can be more involved in international organisations. 34
- Slide 36: G20 Values. 35
- Slide 37: Good manners, tolerance for other people and responsibility are the top values among those surveyed in the G20, with respect for animals, nature and the environment ranking just behind these. 36
- Slide 38: Among those surveyed in the G20, the top three important values to teach children have not changed since 2021. 37
- Slide 39: Opinion among those surveyed in the G20 is divided across core value statements – the clearest preference being for bigger over smaller government. 38
- Slide 40: Those surveyed in G20 countries tend to be optimistic about their own future, but less optimistic about that of their country or the world. 39
- Slide 41: Thank you. 40
- Slide 42: Ipsos Standards & Accreditations (for reports) 41
- Slide 43: Appendix 1: subgroup bases 42
- Slide 44: Subgroups: unweighted bases 43
- Slide 45: Appendix 2: country ranking charts. 44
- Slide 46: Thinking about climate change and protecting nature, how quickly do you think the world needs to take major action to reduce carbon emissions from electricity, transport, food, industry, and buildings? 45
- Slide 47: There’s too much economic inequality in [COUNTRY] these days. 46
- Slide 48: We are all better off when some people get rich, because their spending and investment trickles down throughout [COUNTRY]’s society, leading to more wealth for all. 47
- Slide 49: The economic system in [COUNTRY] hurts people who have least money. 48
- Slide 50: The economic system in [COUNTRY] is bad for the environment. 49
- Slide 51 50
- Slide 52: The way the world’s economy works now is unfair to poorer countries. 51
- Slide 53: Focusing on economic growth in [COUNTRY] is the best way to achieve wealth and wellbeing for all who live here. 52
- Slide 54: The way [COUNTRY]’s economy works should prioritise the health and wellbeing of people and nature rather than focusing solely on profit and increasing wealth in [COUNTRY]. 53
- Slide 55: The economic success of a country should be measured by the health and wellbeing of its citizens, not how fast the economy is growing. 54
- Slide 56: Q8. To what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your country? 55
- Slide 57: Q11. To what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following statements? 56
- Slide 58: Q14. Which comes closest to your view about the following political systems? 57
- Slide 59: Q14. Which comes closest to your view about the following political systems? 58
- Slide 60: Large businesses pay higher tax rates. 59
- Slide 61: Wealthy people pay higher rates of income tax. 60
- Slide 62: Wealthy people pay a higher tax on their wealth. 61
- Slide 63: People and companies that pollute the environment for example by causing greenhouse gas emissions should pay higher taxes, with the money raised shared out among people and companies who pollute less. 62
- Slide 64: All people in [COUNTRY] receiving a minimum regular income each month from the government (sometimes called a Universal Basic Income), regardless of employment status. 63
- Slide 65: The government of [COUNTRY] ensuring that every citizen has free or affordable healthcare. 64
- Slide 66: Strengthening workers rights in [COUNTRY], to protect jobs and ensure adequate retraining. 65
- Slide 67: The use of citizens' assemblies in [COUNTRY], to increase citizens’ influence in political decision-making. 66
- Slide 68: Laws and regulations limiting the political influence of large corporations in the political process in [COUNTRY]. 67
- Slide 69: Policies ensuring more equal gender representation in government and business leadership roles in [COUNTRY]. 68
- Slide 70: Policies supporting work-life balance, such as parental leave, better childcare provision and flexible working hours in [COUNTRY]. 69
- Slide 71: [COUNTRY] promoting policies to help people eat healthier diets that reduce meat consumption and harmful emissions. 70
- Slide 72: Investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transport (cars, buses, trains, aircraft) and reducing pollution in industry in [COUNTRY]. 71
- Slide 73: Giving legal rights to nature in [COUNTRY]’s national laws. 72
- Slide 74: Q12. Some ways that citizens could be more involved in international organisations are listed below. To what extent, if at all, do you support or oppose these proposals? 73
- Slide 75: Q12. Some ways that citizens could be more involved in international organisations are listed below. To what extent, if at all, do you support or oppose these proposals? 74
