Study title

Citizens' Attitudes to Climate Change, Climate Concerns and Willingness to Act 2022

Dataset ID Number

FSD3968

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3968
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3968

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Tiihonen, Aino (University of Turku)
• Ahonen, Sami (University of Turku & Finnish Meteorological Institute)
• Himmelroos, Staffan (University of Helsinki)
• Kulha, Katariina (University of Turku)
• Leino, Mikko (University of Turku)
• Setälä, Maija (University of Turku)
• Sorvali, Jaana (Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke))

Abstract

The survey explores Finnish citizens' climate attitudes, climate-related concerns and knowledge, as well as their societal engagement.

At the beginning of the survey, respondents were asked how concerned they are about climate change and what factors have influenced their concern. This was followed by a series of statements regarding climate change mitigation, to which respondents expressed their opinions. They were also asked what actions they had taken to address climate change during the past 24 months. In addition, the survey explored views on the role of science.

Next, respondents reported how frequently they follow climate-related news, use social media for societal purposes, and discuss political and societal issues. They were also asked about their political party preference and self-placement on a political value scale. Furthermore, the survey explored the forms of political participation respondents had engaged in over the past five years. Finally, respondents evaluated a series of statements regarding the future direction of Finland.

Background variables include, among others, the respondent's gender, age, region of residence, economic activity, occupational status, level of education, mother tongue, marital status, total annual household income, and household size.

Keywords

climate change; climate protection; environment policy; environmental awareness; environmental quality; news; political interest; political participation; politics; science; trust

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Environment and conservation (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Political behaviour and attitudes (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social behaviour and attitudes (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Taloustutkimus

Funders

• Academy of Finland

Time Period Covered

2022

Collection Dates

2022-10-10 – 2022-10-24

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Population aged 18-84 living in mainland Finland

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Probability: Simple random

The respondents were selected through random sampling from Taloustutkimus' online panel. A total of 3,803 individuals completed the survey. A random draw was conducted among the respondents for five S Group gift cards, each worth 300 euros.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Response Rate

19.4

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

To prevent identification of respondents, the postcode variable, the number of children living at home (F13_2), the open variable denoting current or most recent occupation (F4) and variables containing open-ended responses to the response option "Other, please specify" were removed from the data at FSD. In addition, annual household income (F12) and number of persons in the household (F13) were top-coded, and the year of birth was changed to age.

A few erroneous values were coded as missing information at FSD in the variables annual household income (F12) and number of persons in the household (F13).

Weighting

The data has been weighted by Taloustutkimus according to gender, age group, and region in relation to the corresponding population size. Additional information can be found in the background information document.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Tiihonen, Aino (University of Turku) & Ahonen, Sami (University of Turku & Finnish Meteorological Institute) & Himmelroos, Staffan (University of Helsinki) & Kulha, Katariina (University of Turku) & Leino, Mikko (University of Turku) & Setälä, Maija (University of Turku) & Sorvali, Jaana (Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)): Citizens' Attitudes to Climate Change, Climate Concerns and Willingness to Act 2022 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2025-07-11). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3968; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3968

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Tiihonen, Aino & Leino, Mikko & Kulha, Katariina & Setälä, Maija (2023) Suomalaisten ilmastonmuutosasenteet, ilmastohuoli ja toimintahalukkuus [Verkkodokumentti]. Turun yliopisto. Saatavilla: https://sites.utu.fi/factor/wp-content/uploads/sites/948/2023/06/FACTOR_suomalaisten_ilmastonmuutosasenteet_raportti.pdf [viitattu 11.7.2025]

Leino, Mikko & Tiihonen, Aino (2023) Kosmopoliittiset kaupungit ja kotoperäiset pikkukunnat? Erot kuntalaisten ilmastohuolessa ja ilmastotoimia koskevissa asenteissa. Kosmopolis 53(3), 42-65. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202401261855

Hansen, Michael A. & Leino, Mikko (2024) Conditional single-issue political entrepreneurship: The impact of education and attitudinal predictors on support for the Finns Party. Electoral Studies 92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2024.102874