One year ahead of the 2026 municipal elections, Ifop surveyed French citizens on behalf of Hellio on their perception of the ecological emergency, as well as their expectations of their future mayor and municipality in terms of the environment and energy transition. The study also looks at the concrete measures implemented locally to reduce energy costs and meet environmental challenges. What emerges is a strong desire for visible, pragmatic, day-to-day action, but also a still limited and sometimes uneven perception of current policies.
Growing awareness of ecological urgency, marked by generational, social and political divides
- The survey results highlight a growing awareness of climate issues. Today, a third of French people (34%) believe that climate change represents an almost immediate danger, and that it is now almost too late to reverse the trend. This perception is 11 points higher than in 2005.
- However, this concern varies according to profile. It is most strongly expressed by the under-35s (41%), higher education graduates (41%) and supporters of left-wing parties (46%), who are characterized by a more immediate perception of the climate threat. Conversely, it is much less common among people aged 65 and over (26%), those with few qualifications (28% among those with less than a baccalauréat), and supporters of the Rassemblement National (24%), who tend to see the risk in a more distant future.
- The proportion of those who consider that the climate threat primarily concerns future generations,while believing that it is still possible to take action, falls significantly: from 69% in 2005 to 52% today, a drop of almost 20 points in two decades.
- These results also reflect a growing polarization around the climate issue. The proportion of French people who believe that the consequences of global warming are exaggerated and do not justify any special measures has risen from 6% in 2005 to 14% in 2025, reaching 20% among Rassemblement National supporters and 46% among Reconquête supporters. This increase, albeit a minority, reflects the emergence of a counter-discourse, carried notably by certain bangs of the radical right, and reflects a form of rejection of the ecological policies adopted.
Strong confidence in mayors to act in favor of the environment
- This progressive awareness is reflected in the desire expressed by 80% of French people for mayors to have more powers to act in favor of the environment. This result testifies to the strong confidence placed in local elected officials to drive the ecological transition at local level.
- Although this desire is widely shared, it is slightly less pronounced in large conurbations: 69% of people living in towns with between 100,000 and 500,000 inhabitants, and 70% of those living in towns with over 500,000 inhabitants, are in favor, although these levels are still very much in the majority.
- The left-right divide is partly reflected in this demand for greater environmental powers for mayors. While 85% of supporters of left-wing parties are in favor (with support peaking at 95% among Ecologist sympathizers), this proportion drops to 70% among supporters of the Rassemblement National, and to 61% among those of Reconquête.
Energy management and ecological transition: priorities and expectations
- The ecological emergency is also reflected in French people’s expectations of their future mayor. Energy management at municipal level is identified as a priority by 45% ofFrenchpeople, a figure that rises to 54% in towns with 20,000 to 30,000 inhabitants, reflecting a particularly marked expectation in medium-sized municipalities. At the same time, 35% wantenergy-efficientrenovationof school buildings to be a priority for their future mayor.
- Protecting the environment at local level is now considered a priority by a significant proportion of the population: 39% expect their future mayor to take priority action against pollution, and 32% againstclimatechange at local level. The latter expectation rises to 51% among 18-24 year-olds and 78% among Ecologist sympathizers, proof of a marked generational and ideological dynamic
Visibility of existing policies and support for local ecological transition initiatives
- These expectations often come up against the low visibility of local environmental policies. Indeed, the actions taken by local authorities are often poorly identified by local residents: only the extinction of public lighting (48%) and the reduction of energy consumption in communal buildings (35%) are recognized by more than a third of Francophones. Other initiatives, such as the promotion of car-sharing (28%) or the creation of cool islands (22%), are struggling to emerge. This perception varies greatly according to the size of the municipality: for example, 57% of residents in small towns say that street lighting has been switched off, compared with just 27% in large conurbations.
- In terms of solutions, the French are overwhelmingly in favor of a number of concrete actions to help reduce energy costs: 80% would like toseeenergy-efficientrenovationof public buildings, 77% would like to see solar panels installed on public buildings, and 74% would like toseesports facilitiesmademoreenergy-efficient . These expectations are widely shared, regardless of age, place of residence or political persuasion.
- In contrast to previous measures, the establishment of a wind farm in a commune convinces only 28% ofFrenchpeople, a level of support that remains in the minority even among voters traditionally most committed to ecological issues, such as those close to La France insoumise (41%) or the Ecologists (46%). This reservation is also significant in rural communes (26%), despite their land potential.
Perception of municipal work in environmental information and awareness-raising
- When it comes to environmental information and awareness-raising, politicians are expected to do more. Only 42% of French people feel that their elected representatives communicate effectively on support schemes for the ecological transition, whether in terms of public or private aid, or administrative procedures. Conversely, 58% consider this communication to be insufficient, an observation shared regardless of the political color of the municipality.
- At the same time, a slight majority of citizens (53%) say they are satisfied with their municipality’s work in promotingenvironmentalawarenessinitiatives , and in providinginformationon schemes to encourage environmental preservation. Nevertheless, judgments often remain lukewarm, with very few respondents declaring themselves very satisfied.
Perceptions and effects associated with local public lighting policies
- The vast majority of French people(83%) say they are satisfied with the level of street lighting in their commune, including 22% who are very satisfied. When it comes to street lighting , 79% ofFrenchpeople are also satisfied.
- Switching off street lighting is seen as a measure that has helped reduce energy costs by 68% ofFrenchpeople, 19% of whom feel it has made a significant contribution. This feeling is reinforced by the fact that 82% consider thereductionin streetlightingto be a concrete lever forsavingsfor their local authority, with a slightly higher level of support in rural areas (84%).
- Reducing street lighting is widely perceived as a virtuous initiative: 80% see it as a way ofreducingelectricityconsumption, and 78% as a way of limiting light pollution andpromotingbiodiversity.
- Nevertheless, this measure is also met with reluctance, particularly in towns of 50,000 inhabitants or more: 73% ofFrenchpeople believe it increasestheriskofaggression, a figure that rises to 81% in towns of 50,000 inhabitants or more. Furthermore, 58% see it as a factor inanincrease in road accidents, and 41% see the switch-off of lighting as a sign ofregressionfor their community.
