Recently, Chen Jiahui, a PhD candidate at the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, together with her supervisor Professor Liao Hua, used large‑scale survey data covering approximately 280 000 respondents across 142 countries and regions worldwide to analyze the spatial patterns of global public climate‑risk perceptions. A multilevel regression model was adopted to unpack its micro‑ and macro‑level driving mechanisms.

The data show that more than 86 % of global respondents express concern about climate change, yet such perceptions vary markedly across geographies and development levels. Public concern is significantly higher in advanced economies than in developing economies. Despite divergent understandings of the root causes of climate change, the widespread perception of climate change as a “threat” has taken shape. This offers certain reference value for setting climate‑risk preferences and designing differentiated global carbon‑pricing mechanisms.

The paper constructs a multilevel ordered logit model incorporating individual‑level (micro‑) attributes and national‑context (macro‑) variables. Econometric results indicate that climate‑risk perceptions are shaped not only by demographic characteristics such as gender, age and educational attainment, but also strongly by individuals’ firsthand experience of extreme‑weather events. Economic development level and exposure to heat shocks exert significant positive effects on public perceptions. Socio‑economic contexts and personal experiences jointly form people’s cognition of climate risks. Personal experience of extreme weather, educational attainment and national‑level anxiety index stand as the primary factors explaining heterogeneity in public climate‑risk perceptions.

These findings suggest that localized early‑warning systems and information outreach for extreme weather can be strengthened to raise public risk awareness. Science popularization campaigns may deepen public understanding of the complexity and uncertainty of climate change. Policymakers should pay attention to society‑wide risk‑perception contexts and improve the effectiveness and equity of climate policies through inclusive decision‑making.

This study was published online in Climate Policy in September 2025.

Paper link: Chen, J., & Liao, H. (2025). Global public perceptions of climate change risks and their determinants. Climate Policy.

https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2025.2562025