What the French really think about ecology in 2025
Are the French truly ready to change their lifestyles for the climate? The 2025 surveys paint a nuanced, sometimes contradictory picture of a society that oscillates between genuine awareness and resistance to change. An overview of the major trends shaping the relationship between the French and ecology this year.
Climate concern that withstands crises
Despite a news cycle saturated by geopolitical tensions, inflation, and purchasing power issues, climate change remains in the top 3 concerns of the French. According to the annual Ademe barometer published in January 2025, 78% of French people say they are very or fairly concerned about climate change — a figure stable for three years, a sign of a conviction that is becoming established over time.
Even more revealing: 64% of respondents believe that the effects of climate change are already visible in their daily lives. The heatwaves of summer 2024, the floods in Spain and Italy, the drought in Provence — these extreme events have turned an abstract reality into something concrete and immediate.
Young people, driving awareness
Unsurprisingly, the 18-35 age group is the most aware of climate issues. 85% of them cite global warming among their main concerns, compared with 71% among those over 65. But beware: being concerned does not necessarily mean taking action. And that is where the data becomes more nuanced.
The intention to act: a persistent gap between words and reality
The "attitude-behaviour gap" phenomenon — the gap between stated intentions and actual behaviour — is well documented in social psychology. In France, it remains significant. According to a study by the BVA Institute for WWF France (2025):
- 73% of French people say they want to consume more responsibly.
- Only 34% have actually changed their behaviour significantly in the past 12 months.
- 41% cite a lack of financial means as the main barrier.
- 28% cite a lack of time and information.
These data illustrate a major challenge: good intentions are not enough. Structural obstacles — the price of organic products, the cost of energy-efficient renovations, the absence of credible alternatives to car travel in rural areas — weigh heavily in the balance.
How much are the French willing to pay for the climate?
The question of willingness to pay is central in climate policy debates. The survey results are illuminating.
For everyday products
In 2025, 58% of French people say they are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products — but this willingness drops sharply with the size of the price increase. While 58% accept a 5% increase, only 31% accept it if it exceeds 20%.
This reality explains why the most effective ecological transition models are those that do not rely on significant financial sacrifice. Approaches based on micro-contributions — such as solidarity round-ups or automatic offsetting with each purchase — address this constraint precisely by enabling action without noticeable expense.
For mobility
The transport sector reveals underlying tensions. 67% of French people own a car, and 45% of them believe they have no credible alternative for their daily commute. In this context, 54% say they would consider an electric vehicle for their next purchase — but only if the price is comparable to that of a petrol or diesel car. A condition that is not yet met for the majority of households.
Emerging consumption trends in 2025
The rise of "chosen sobriety"
A new phenomenon is emerging in consumption data: a growing proportion of French people — estimated at 22% according to an Ipsos study — are voluntarily adopting reduced consumption, not out of economic constraint, but out of ecological conviction. This chosen sobriety movement particularly affects the clothing, electronics, and leisure categories.
The boom in second-hand
The second-hand market grew by 15% in 2024 according to the Fevad. Vinted, Leboncoin, and car boot sales are booming. This trend is particularly strong among 25-45 year olds, who combine the search for savings with environmental awareness.
Plant-based food on the rise
Plant protein consumption rose by 12% in volume in 2024. 38% of French people say they have reduced their red meat consumption over the past year — a 6-point increase compared with 2023. The motivation is mixed: health (the top argument cited), then the environment, then budget.
The French and carbon offsetting
An OpinionWay survey for the GoodPlanet foundation (2025) reveals that 47% of French people are familiar with the concept of carbon offsetting. Among them, 62% consider it a useful tool, but 71% believe it cannot replace emission reductions.
This perception is encouraging: the French do not see offsetting as an excuse, but as a complement. To understand how to consume responsibly without breaking the bank, our guide responsible consumption: where to start? gives you practical keys.
The paradox of voting and political engagement
Finally, a thought-provoking subject: if the French are so concerned about the climate, why do green parties struggle to exceed 10-15% in elections? The explanation lies in several factors:
- Economic voting takes priority over ecological voting when the two conflict.
- Distrust of political solutions: 61% of French people believe governments are not taking the necessary measures, but many doubt that voting for green parties would concretely change things.
- A sense of individual powerlessness: faced with industrial emitters or China, many doubt that their personal actions make a difference.
"The French want to act for the climate, but they want it to be easy, affordable, and for others to do their part too. The challenge is to create the conditions for all of this to become possible."
— Mathieu Chassignet, Ademe, January 2025
What to take away from 2025?
The trends of 2025 paint a picture of a French society in motion, but not yet in deep transformation. The awareness is real, widespread, and lasting. Behaviours are changing, but slowly, often held back by economic and structural obstacles that goodwill alone cannot overcome.
The good news? The engagement models that work are those that facilitate action rather than demand it. Paying a little more for an organic product, automatically rounding up purchases to offset carbon, choosing the train over the plane when possible — these micro-actions, at scale, can make a real difference.
To understand where the collective carbon footprint of the French actually stands, consult our analysis of the carbon footprint of the French in 2024.