Commissioned by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to Ipsos APEME, this study sought not only to understand citizens’ attitudes toward environmental issues but also to grasp how civil society organizations in the environmental field are perceived, as well as the main approaches they adopt to engage citizens in their mission.

You can also read the seven key insights from this study.

“To understand the positioning of citizens and civil society institutions active in mitigation and adaptation movements, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation promoted a study on civil society’s perceptions regarding climate change, the conclusions of which are now presented. This work also includes some recommendations, highlighting that the necessary shift in perceptions – capable of driving behavioral change – requires joint efforts from citizens, businesses, authorities (especially municipalities), environmental organizations, and the media, each playing distinct but complementary roles. At the same time, it is essential to establish appropriate incentive schemes, since climate change does not rank among the top concerns of the Portuguese population, and more sustainable choices are perceived as more expensive.

Environmental issues have gained increasing relevance in the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s strategic intervention, aligned with the growing trend of global philanthropy. Investing in initiatives that promote innovative approaches to environmental and sustainability challenges has become one of the Foundation’s strategic pillars, alongside the promotion of equity: acknowledging that the transition must be just, seeking solutions that are environmentally, socially, and economically efficient – that is, sustainable.

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Since public perceptions are more than just a reflection of opinion, investing in the production of knowledge to understand them, based on scientific evidence, is to regard them as a strategic asset. Ignoring the perceptions that citizens in Portugal have about environmental issues may compromise the achievement of the climate action goals that Portugal has committed to, and hinder the response to the challenges ahead.”

Cristina Casalinho, Board Member, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation