27 August 2026, by Lioba Thaut

Photo: Adobe Stock, Irina, generated with AI

A new analysis of the long-term ‘Down2Earth’ study, carried out by CLICCS researchers Anne Reif, Nele-Sophie Brebeck and Michael Brüggemann in collaboration with Lars Guenther of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, shows that the majority of people in Germany continue to support climate action.

At the same time, however, support for specific climate policy measures is steadily declining. Since 2015, the study has been examining the attitudes, behaviour and media usage of the German population with regard to climate change and climate policy. The latest findings are based on a survey of more than 1,000 people conducted in November 2025.

Whilst support for climate protection remains high overall, the willingness to implement it through specific measures is declining. At the same time, the group of people who deny climate change or question the existence of a warming trend is growing – albeit at a low level. Meanwhile, the number of those who appear uncertain and are seeking guidance is rising.

Public service television remains the main source of information, followed by radio and then private television channels. This means that a traditional media channel remains particularly important for embedding reliable information on climate change and climate policy widely amongst the general public.

The researchers see the growing group of so-called ‘undecided’ – that is, people who are unsure whether they are convinced by climate change or deny it – not only as a problem but also as an opportunity: many of these people are uncertain, yet at the same time demonstrate a greater need for information and a strong willingness to engage in discussion.

What does this mean, above all, for the media and journalism? As public attention wanes, climate journalism becomes all the more important: staying on the ball, putting things into context, identifying conflicting interests and those who stand in the way – whilst at the same time highlighting successful examples. After all, climate protection requires not only facts, but also a climate of dialogue in which the issue is treated with the seriousness it deserves and presented in a way that resonates with people’s everyday lives.

Michael Brüggemann therefore sees a clear mandate for the media: “Journalism should not hide behind waning interest in climate protection. The public is guided more by the media’s agenda than the other way round. The issue of climate protection therefore belongs right at the top of the media’s agenda – and for the media, relevance is what counts.”

Link to the study (german)