Under the UKAID-supported programme “Advancing Environmental Protection, Climate Change and Democratic Resilience in Georgia: Phase 2”, the WFD presents the results of a quantitative survey of Climate Change and an Environmentally Focused Nationwide Opinion Poll in Georgia.

The purpose of the quantitative research was to study the attitudes and opinions of the population of Georgia regarding environmental and climate change issues.

The quantitative research instrument contained four sections:

• Perceptions and attitudes;
• Knowledge;
• Behavior;
• Policies.

The survey unveiled a wealth of insights. Most of the respondents consider the problem of climate change to be essential at both the world (73%) and the country levels (68%). Climate change as a global issue is perceived more acutely by the 55-65 age group (77%). 59% of the respondents do not perceive climate change as a personal problem. The majority of respondents think the main causes of climate change are: deforestation/reduction of vegetation cover (70%), increased number and use of private cars (44%), as well as excessive consumption of energy (44%).

The survey also shed light on behaviour, respondents do not discuss the need to act on climate change even once a month. 14% of survey participants do not discuss the issue at all. In order to mitigate climate change, the respondents living in cities mostly name such activities as planting trees (30%) and saving energy (19%). Among the respondents living in rural areas, there were mentioned planting trees (65%) and saving water resources (8%). Saving water is mentioned mainly by female respondents (11%).

Citizens (72%), the Government of Georgia (42%), and international organizations (31%) are considered to be the main stakeholders in stopping climate change by the majority of respondents. 88% of respondents express their support for the introduction of the law on climate change and relevant regulations. According to the respondents, the highest burden of responsibility falls on the Government of Georgia (73%) and the Parliament of Georgia (70%) for dealing with the climate change processes. Only 50% of respondents think citizens are responsible for solving climate change problems.

Quantitative research was conducted throughout the country in October-November 2022, using the face-to-face interview method (CAPI interview). It involved 1500 participants from ten Georgian regions. Urban settlements account for 59% of research participants, whereas rural settlements account for 41%. According to gender, the distribution was 52% female and 48% male.

The research was carried out by the IPM Market Intelligence Caucasus (IPM MIC), commissioned by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).