The Transformation Barometer, conducted for the first time by the Environment Agency Austria in 2025, surveys the environmental attitudes, values, needs and behaviors of individuals in society at regular intervals. It aims at developing a social science monitoring system that highlights the social dimension of transformation and makes it possible to gain insights into the attitudes, values, needs and behaviors of different population groups and to track their development over time. The data can thus be used to gain insights into different population groups and developments in society. As a result, environmental policy measures can be formulated in a more targeted and balanced manner, increasing acceptance among the population and supporting social transformation towards a good life for all.
The representative survey was designed to gain a differentiated picture of the social dimension of environmental and climate issues in Austria. It involved 2,022 randomly selected individuals who were interviewed in April/May 2025 using online questionnaires and telephone interviews. The questionnaire was designed to take 30 minutes to complete.
Results show that environmental and climate protection issues are high on the agenda for the Austrian population. Environmental and climate protection are supported by two-thirds of Austrians and rejected by only a minority. Industry and business, as well as the federal and state governments, were identified as not doing enough for climate protection. Negative changes due to climate change are expected especially in the areas of tourism and quality of life. Environmental and climate policy measures are widely supported. This attitude is also reflected in a high level of personal responsibility: most respondents are open to actively using services that promote the circular economy and thus making their own everyday lives more sustainable.