Pakistan is grappling with the profound impacts of climate change, including shifting weather patterns and catastrophic floods (Baron et al., 2022). Regrettably, these impacts are anticipated to worsen, with projections indicating that climate-related events, environmental degradation, and air pollution could shrink Pakistan’s GDP by 18-20% by 2050. This concerning statistic underscores the urgent need to address climate change and mitigate its effects on people and their livelihoods. Despite being among the lesser contributors to climate change, it is crucial for developing countries like Pakistan to acknowledge and confront its fallout, especially in combating pressing local issues like air pollution and smog.
Understanding people’s prioritization of addressing climate change, their trusted sources of information, and the motivating factors behind their actions is essential for adaptation and mitigation efforts. To explore these questions, we conducted a phone survey of a random sample of 2,000 parents in Pakistan who have access to a cell phone and have school-aged children, using random digit dialing. The key findings have been detailed in a recent policy note.
The survey results reveal that a significant majority of people, irrespective of gender or education level, are deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on children, with over 80 percent expressing worry. However, while people are concerned about climate change and its effects, it may not always be their top priority. When asked to identify the top three issues facing Pakistan, less than a quarter of participants selected climate change. This suggests that while climate change is a concern, it may not be their primary focus.
Furthermore, when a random subset of respondents was initially presented with economic issues, there was a notable increase of 4 percentage points (statistically significant) in the likelihood of individuals considering climate change among the top three issues in Pakistan, compared to when social issues were presented first. This trend of prioritizing climate change as an economic issue is more pronounced among individuals with higher educational attainment.
Examining people’s knowledge of and trust in different sources of climate change information reveals that those with higher education levels are more informed about climate change. However, there is significant distrust overall in traditional sources of information, with the least educated individuals being the most likely to distrust these sources. News media emerges as the most important source of information, while less than 1/5 trust scientists, indicating a lack of trust in traditional climate change leadership and the possibility of misinformation from the media.
Regarding addressing climate change in Pakistan, households express support for climate education in schools, but rely on schools to fulfill this role. While almost all households support climate education in schools, less than half discuss it at home, suggesting that schools could play a crucial role in promoting conversations and educating families about climate change.
Although households frequently adopt money-saving measures like turning off lights (76%) to combat climate change, they show less enthusiasm for endorsing more impactful actions such as using public transport (36%) or reducing meat consumption. Bridging the gap between concern and action requires understanding people’s beliefs, with education and awareness campaigns emphasizing practical benefits like savings or health improvements.
Three key insights emerge from the survey findings for policymakers: firstly, economic aspects drive people’s concern about climate change; secondly, skepticism exists, particularly among less educated individuals relying on traditional information sources; and lastly, even concerned individuals might not act due to inconvenience or lifestyle changes. Policymakers should focus on removing barriers and offering economic incentives to encourage active participation in climate action.
