An international survey conducted by Ipsos for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in 50 countries shows an alarming trend: climate concern has decreased in much of Latin America.
This occurs even after a year marked by extreme events such as hurricanes, unprecedented fires, droughts, and floods, according to data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Civic Priorities: Climate Loses Ground to Insecurity and Economy
The results, presented at the FSC General Assembly in Panama City, reveal that the main global concerns are:
- Wars and conflicts (52%)
- Deaths and diseases (45%)
- Economic problems (44%)
- Climate change (31%)
In Latin America, additional concerns include unemployment (30%), pollution (17%), inequality (15%), and deforestation (9%).
Brazil and Mexico: Exceptions in an Increasingly Less Alert Region
Although the general trend is downward, Brazil and Mexico show an increase in climate concern:
- Brazil: from 18% in 2022 to 33% in 2025
- Mexico: leads with 42% concern
In contrast, countries like Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru record drops of between 1 and 5 percentage points. Bolivia is at the lower end with only 17%.
“The wide dispersion shows that the risk is not uniform. But this is not apathy: it is a signal to act pragmatically,” said Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC’s general director.
Responsible Forest Management: A Tangible Tool for Climate Action
FSC proposes strengthening responsible forest management as a concrete way to address the crisis:
- Illegal logging: main environmental concern in the region (25%)
- Forest fires and deforestation: among the most mentioned concerns
- Forest safeguards, conservation areas, and community agreements: key to protecting ecosystems and reducing risks
“Communities are safer when supply chains recognize and reward good practices,” Bhattacharjee noted.
Responsible Consumption: A Trend That Remains Strong
Despite the decline in climate concern, the interest in sustainable products remains high:
- 72% of global consumers prefer products that do not harm plants or animals
- In Latin America: 84% in Mexico, 82% in Brazil, 79% in Chile
This data reflects an opportunity for companies that bet on verified operations free of deforestation, with Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and shared benefits.
Climate Disconnection: A Gap Requiring New Strategies
The survey shows a growing disconnection between environmental urgency and public perception, especially in contexts of insecurity, inflation, and unemployment. However, FSC warns that climate action must be tangible, territorial, and linked to concrete benefits for communities.
On the eve of COP30 in Brazil, these findings reinforce the need to reconnect the climate agenda with social realities, and to strengthen the role of forests as strategic allies in the fight against climate change.
Sustainability is not just an ethical choice: it is a practical, urgent, and transformative response.
