On Thursday morning in Berlin, new research from the University of Cambridge challenged a long-held assumption in climate communications: simply correcting public misperceptions about societal support for climate action does not reliably translate into increased individual engagement. The study, published this week and discussed at a panel hosted by the European Climate Foundation, surveyed 4,500 adults across Germany, the UK, and Spain during June 2026.

Researchers found that a majority of respondents underestimated how many of their peers supported stronger climate policies, such as carbon pricing or limits on high-emission vehicles. Meanwhile, most participants overestimated the degree to which others had already made personal changes, like reducing air travel or switching to plant-based diets. Despite targeted interventions in the study—providing participants with accurate statistics on public support—there was little measurable uptick in participants’ intentions to take new climate-related actions over the summer.

The findings raise questions for organizations like Climate Outreach UK, which has invested £1.8 million since January in correcting climate misperceptions through public campaigns. As policy researchers and city officials gather for Friday’s SDG 13 roundtable in Madrid, the discussion is expected to shift towards more structural approaches, with an emphasis on policy levers rather than individual persuasion campaigns.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Lara Möller, cautioned against assuming that information alone is a catalyst for action. “Correcting the knowledge gap is necessary, but not sufficient,” she told SDG Talking, pointing to persistent social and economic barriers, especially in low-income city districts where energy costs remain a top concern this summer.

With only three years until the EU’s 2029 interim climate targets, policymakers are being urged to recalibrate public engagement strategies that move beyond awareness-raising. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action is expected to issue new guidance later this month.