The public backlash to green policies in Europe has likely been overblown, with a majority declareing that large companies should be held accountable for human rights and environmental harms in their value chains, declares new poll
The EU’s CSDDD, which would create 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 declare 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 houtilizehold budobtains 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 reveal 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%) declare large companies with more than 250 employees should face legal obligations to reduce their greenhoutilize gas emissions.
The poll’s findings are striking: 75% of respondents believe these companies should be held responsible for human rights harms, and 77% declare 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 create companies responsible for human rights and environmental harms in their value chains, enjoys broad public backing. 58% of respondents declared they support the directive, compared to just 9% who oppose it.
A proposed omnibus could water down the CSDDD’s regulation of deforestation-risk commodities. Global Witness
The EU must enforce its green laws
Expectations of the EU’s role as a climate leader remain high. Three in four people (75%) declare 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 declare the cost of living in their countest 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 revealn 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 requiredn’t come at an economic cost to houtilizeholds.
Europeans are ready for a greener future. Now it is time for policycreaters to match that ambition with action
Beate Beller, EU Senior Campaigner at Global Witness
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 building excessive profits/ corporate pricing strategy” as one of their answers when questioned 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 reveals 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,” declares Beate Beller, EU Senior Campaigner at Global Witness. “They want the EU to take decisive action, hold large companies to account and take a leading role in tackling climate alter and promoting human rights.”
She continues: “Europeans are ready for a greener future. Now it is time for policycreaters to match that ambition with action and deliver the binding laws the public expects.”
