A new study, published in Nature Climate Change, offers a comprehensive picture of public attitudes toward climate policies, such as carbon taxes, in seven large countries in the Global South: Chile, Colombia, India, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Vietnam. The study highlights both the depth of climate knowledge in these countries and the trade-offs citizens face when weighing climate policies against other urgent needs.

Unlike many surveys that rely on simple “agree–disagree” statements, this study asked participants to make explicit choices between competing government spending priorities. While climate action was widely rated as important, its priority dropped when respondents had to compare it directly with areas such as health, education, or poverty reduction.

Science is the most trusted source
“This approach gives us a much richer picture of public opinion,” says Gunnar Köhlin, co-author of the study and Director of the global research network Environment for Development (EfD), which is coordinated by a Global Hub at the University of Gothenburg.
“If you only ask people if climate change is important, the answer is overwhelmingly yes. But when people face trade-offs, climate action often slips behind immediate concerns like healthcare or jobs.”

The survey, which included 8,400 respondents, also showed that the level of climate knowledge in the Global South is closer to that in the Global North than expected. Climate knowledge is also a stronger predictor of support for ambitious climate policies than education level. Scientists were rated as the most trusted source of information, ahead of governments, businesses, and the media.

Strong support for earmarking revenues
Another striking finding is that citizens showed strong support for earmarking revenues from carbon taxes for health and education programs, rather than using them to reduce deficits or pay back directly to households.
“Understanding how people in the Global South think about climate change is crucial. These countries are home to the majority of the world’s population and are both highly vulnerable to climate impacts and important actors as we look for solutions to climate change,” emphasizes Gunnar Köhlin.

The EfD network conducted the study, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and fielded by survey firm YouGov. The findings provide a valuable dataset for policymakers and researchers seeking to align climate action with public priorities in developing economies.