Global survey finds support for CDM-type projects

(from ASB Listserv)

On September 25, the BBC World Service released a global poll on attitudes towards climate change. GlobeScan and the Program on International Policy Attitudes in Maryland surveyed 22,000 people in 21 developed and developing countries. Most interestingly, the poll showed majority support across the globe for agreements where developing countries would reduce emissions in exchange for financial assistance and technology from developed countries. This indicates broad support for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) or Reduced Emissions from forest Degradation and Deforestation (REDD) projects. ASB is currently engaged in REDD projects and intends to present results at the next UNFCCC COP in Bali this December.

The BBC article is available online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7010522.stm and the full report is available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/25_09_07climatepoll.pdf.

Summary of main points:

· An average of eight in ten (79%) say that “human activity, including industry and transportation, is a significant cause of climate change.”

· The poll shows majority support (73% on average) in all but two countries polled for an agreement in which developing countries would limit their emissions in return for financial assistance and technology from developed countries.

o All of the developed countries polled endorse this idea by large margins including the United States (70%), Canada (84%), Great Britain (81%), France (78%), Germany (75%), and Australia (84%).

· There is a widespread consensus that developing countries should take action on climate along with developed countries. Just three countries opt instead for the position that less-wealthy countries should not be expected to limit emissions: Egypt, Nigeria and Italy.

o Those favouring limits on the emissions of less wealthy countries include some of the key ones, most notably a 68 percent majority in China and a plurality of Indians (33% to 24%), though many Indians (43%) do not have an opinion. This is also the dominant view in Brazil (63%), Indonesia (54%), Kenya (64%), Mexico (75%), the Philippines (49%), and Turkey (41%).

· Asked how much they have heard about climate change or global warming, in only a few countries do large numbers say that they have heard little or nothing, including Indonesia (65%), Kenya (53%), Nigeria (48%), and Russia (64%).