The public backlash to green policies in Europe has likely been overblown, with a majority saying that large companies should be held accountable for human rights and environmental harms in their value chains, says new poll
The EU’s CSDDD, which would make companies responsible for human rights and environmental harms in their value chains, enjoys broad public backing, despite a so-called "greenlash" across the bloc. Global Witness
A major poll commissioned by Global Witness and Amnesty International and conducted by Ipsos in September 2025 across 10 EU countries – Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden – suggests a clear and urgent public demand for climate action.
Despite the European Commission’s ongoing push for slackened environmental regulations – including a proposed rollback of the hard-won Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) – European respondents say large companies (250 or more employees) should be held accountable for human rights and environmental harms in their value chains.
Even with economic pressures squeezing household budgets across the bloc, support for EU leadership to act in these areas is strong and consistent.
Public demands business to act
The survey’s results show that Europeans overwhelmingly believe that large companies must play their part in tackling the climate crisis, according to Global Witness and Amnesty International. Almost two-thirds (63%) say large companies with more than 250 employees should face legal obligations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
The poll’s findings are striking: 75% of respondents believe these companies should be held responsible for human rights harms, and 77% say they must be accountable for environmental harms found throughout their value chains.
Europeans aren’t just counting on companies to do the right thing of their own volition. They want binding rules and real consequences for environmental damage.
The EU’s CSDDD, which would make companies responsible for human rights and environmental harms in their value chains, enjoys broad public backing. 58% of respondents said they support the directive, compared to just 9% who oppose it.
The EU must enforce its green laws
Expectations of the EU's role as a climate leader remain high. Three in four people (75%) say it’s important that the EU upholds its environmental laws within EU member states, with particularly strong support in Italy (85%), Lithuania (82%) and Denmark (80%).
In the wake of environmental rollbacks in the US, more than half (53%) of Europeans believe it’s now more important for the EU to uphold its own environmental laws.
Economic pressure, but not at the expense of the planet
The cost of living is rising. 87% of respondents say the cost of living in their country has increased over the past year. The main factors selected by respondents are energy prices (59%), food and drink costs (57%), and war and conflict (47%). But importantly, only 13% selected EU climate policies when shown a list of 18 possible contributing factors to choose from.
Crucially, the findings could indicate that a majority of people understand that taking climate action needn’t come at an economic cost to households.
Europeans are ready for a greener future. Now it is time for policymakers to match that ambition with action
This runs counter to right-wing narratives fuelling a so-called “greenlash” from multiple European political parties. The rising cost of living may have Europeans worried, but a majority of people do not appear to link this to EU climate action policies.
Many may well be more critical of unchecked business practices than of green policies – 24% selected “Businesses making excessive profits/ corporate pricing strategy” as one of their answers when asked about contributing factors to the rising cost of living.
This view appears to be most common in France (30%), Sweden (30%) and Germany (25%).
Global Witness and Amnesty International believe the survey shows that people want fairer systems, not false trade-offs between climate action and economic stability.
Europeans still demand bold climate action
“Europeans are united and clear on this issue,” says Beate Beller, EU Senior Campaigner at Global Witness. “They want the EU to take decisive action, hold big companies to account and take a leading role in tackling climate change and promoting human rights.”
She continues: “Europeans are ready for a greener future. Now it is time for policymakers to match that ambition with action and deliver the binding laws the public expects.”
CSDDD polling: View the aggregated results
Download ResourceOverall technical note
On behalf of Amnesty International and Global Witness, Ipsos interviewed representative quota samples of adults in ten markets using its online i:omnibus and ad hoc services: 1,086 aged 16-75 in the Denmark, 1,098 aged 16-75 in France, 1,092 aged 16-75 in Germany, 1,098 aged 16-75 in Italy, 1,063 aged 18-65 in Lithuania, 1,085 aged 16-75 in the Netherlands, 1,092 aged 16-75 in Poland, 1,084 aged 16-75 in Romania, 1,078 aged 16-75 in Spain, and 1,085 aged 16-75 in Sweden.
Fieldwork took place between 5-17 September 2025. The samples obtained are representative of the national populations with quotas on age, gender, region and working status. The data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions in each market for age, working status, government office region and education, to reflect the adult populations of each market in which the research was conducted. In addition, a set of results combining the 10 European nations was provided which were then weighted to reflect the proportional size to one another.
