Australian consumers are becoming less concerned about climate change amid global uncertainty and economic pressures, marking a sharp contrast with other major Asian economies. [some emphasis, links added]
A new McKinsey & Company study, which surveyed consumers across Australia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea, found that Australians are the most relaxed about climate change in the region.
Specifically, around 12 percent of Australian consumers said they were concerned about climate change in the second quarter of 2026, down from 19 percent in the previous quarter.
By comparison, concern was greater across major Asian economies, with 25 percent of consumers in China, 38 percent in India, 20 percent in Japan, and 23 percent in South Korea identifying climate change as a major issue.
Like consumers in other countries, Australians were most concerned about the rising cost of living, with 60 percent citing it as a concern, up from 51 percent three months earlier.
Other economic concerns were the ability to make ends meet (30 percent) and job security (16 percent). Both figures were slightly higher than in the previous year.
“Persistent inflation pressures and expectations of additional interest rate increases in Australia were prevalent. As such, inflation remained the dominant economic concern,” the report said.
Amid high inflation pressures at home and abroad, the Reserve Bank has lifted the official cash rate three times in 2026, taking it to 4.35 percent.
The bank warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East was a major driver of inflationary pressures, with higher fuel prices already flowing through to broader costs across the economy.
Top: As climate change drops down the list of consumer worries, the Australian government is doubling down on renewables and big battery farms.
Read rest at The Epoch Times
