The 2024 Environmental Awareness Study examined environmental awareness and attitudes toward environmental policy among people in Germany for the 15th time. This scientific report includes analyses of the main survey as well as qualitative and quantitative additional surveys. The results presented include analyses of the sample by social milieus and environmental types, analyses on the key topic of “environment, health, and quality of life,” and time series on environmental awareness and attitudes toward environmental policy. 

Among other things, the results showed that the importance of environmental and climate protection has declined. Other political issues such as rising costs due to inflation and the state of public services became more relevant. At the same time, respondents perceived a connection between their quality of life and health and the quality of their immediate environment. The majority rated the environmental quality in their immediate living environment as good. Most respondents perceived the effects of climate change on their own health, especially through heat waves. Women and people with low incomes and low levels of formal education appeared to be more severely affected. 

The concluding discussion chapter explains two central trends: environmental awareness has declined among the population, and the issue of social justice in environmental and climate protection has gained importance. This is followed by recommendations for environmental policy and communication as well as for future research and environmental awareness studies. Among other things, it is recommended that greater attention be paid to a socially equitable design when implementing environmental and climate protection measures and that opportunities for participation be promoted. Environmental protection measures should also be more closely linked to improving health equity in politics and administration. 

View report (DE)