To help support the Council’s work in the climate action space, we conduct an annual survey of residents to understand their views on a range of climate issues. This includes their awareness of the potential impact of climate change on Wellington, climate change adaption, and emission reduction behaviours.
Results from the survey help guide our work in the space by providing objective evidence of the public view on these important issues. We report on some of the measures from the survey in our annual report and in reporting against Te Atakura.
Each year we gather a random sample of approximately 800 people from our Capital Views Panel and asked them a, generally consistent, range of questions relating to climate action.
Key findings from the latest survey included:
- Most respondents (86%) said they understood the impacts climate change could have on Wellington “very well” or “fairly well”.
- Eight in ten respondents believe that the negative effects of climate change were already being felt in Wellington.
- But only one in ten were very confident or confident enough action was being taken to prepare Wellington for the effects of climate change.
- There was very strong agreement (86%) that WCC had a responsibility to help residents prepare for the impacts of climate change.
- Eight in ten respondents believed that significant emissions reductions needed to happen right away or needed to start now and ramp up.
- Just under one in five said they were confident enough action was being taken to reduce carbon emissions in Wellington.
- Eight in ten agreed that WCC has a responsibility to help residents reduce emissions.
- The study also identified a range of findings relating perceived priorities and declared behaviours in the emissions reduction space – these are outlined in detail in the report
Read more in the full report – Climate action monitor 2024 (252KB PDF)