Local elections: the French would punish candidates hostile to the ecological and social transition

In view of the results of this Ifop survey conducted for Réseau Action Climat and Secours Catholique – Caritas France, it is clear that voters are sending the opposite message: candidates must pursue the ecological transition as close as possible to the French people, in their municipalities!

Conducted with both a nationally representative sample of 1.004 French people and a new sample of 1.050 residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods (QPV[1]), this survey effectively shatters the common misconception that the French are now resistant to environmental action and the ecological transition. Contrary to what is observed in other countries, French public support for the ecological transition remains unequivocal: voters express strong reluctance towards any reversal of policies already implemented, expect candidates to champion ambitious environmental measures, and support the transition measures already underway, including in the QPVs.

In a municipal campaign that is expected to be heavily polarized by the security issue[2], these results remind us that the ecological and social transition is not disappearing from the agenda: it remains a high expectation, closely associated with the quality of life of the inhabitants.

Key figures from the survey

Climate change is no longer abstract: the observation of its effects at the local level, as well as exposure to various forms of pollution, are fueling the need for concrete responses at the municipal level.

• 1 - The effects of climate change are already widely observed: 58% of French people say they have noticed them in recent years, a proportion that climbs to 66% among residents of priority neighborhoods.
• 2 - In detail, the manifestations cited are very concrete: 72% indicate having noticed the decrease in snow cover, 72% the increase in extreme episodes, 72% the increase in heat waves and 71% the rise in temperatures throughout the year.
• 3 - This awareness is accompanied by a severe diagnosis of the lack of local preparedness: 52% of French people believe that their municipality is poorly prepared for the impacts of climate change, with a significant gap in working-class neighborhoods (57% versus 52% on average).

A clear rejection of dismantling policies implemented at the municipal level: reversing the ecological transition policies already underway risks electoral repercussions.

• 4 - Going back on ecological transition policies already underway exposes us to a risk of sanction: 63% of voters say they are uncomfortable voting for a candidate who questions the ecological transition measures already underway in their municipality.
• 5 - The idea of ​​a “privileged” transition is refuted: this discomfort at the idea of ​​voting for a candidate who would go back is shared by two-thirds of the inhabitants of working-class neighborhoods (64%) and up to 72% in cities of 100,000 inhabitants and more, that is to say where the transition policies carried out in recent years have been more visible and more structuring.
• 6 - The argument “tighten spending” at the expense of the transition is not very convincing: 53% of French people believe that the transition must continue, even if it means increasing municipal investments.

According to Clara Sannicolo (Climate Action Network): “This poll should serve as a wake-up call for candidates: a majority of French people, regardless of whether they lean left or right, say they are ready to punish candidates who propose reversals on the just ecological transition in their municipality, including in working-class neighborhoods. These candidates therefore have every interest in committing to ambitious environmental policies that integrate social considerations in the face of the daily realities of climate change. Ecological transition policies are seen as guaranteeing a better quality of life in the community, increased purchasing power, improved health, and the creation of local jobs. Reversing the transition policies already underway is therefore a red line!”

The transition in practice: the French have clearly understood that transition policies are generally positive for their finances, their quality of life in their local area, and their health.

• 7 - Support for municipal action levers is very high: 89% approve of the creation of green spaces and the protection of natural and agricultural areas, 86% of preparing municipal buildings for the effects of climate change, and 85% of developing the supply of public transport accessible to all, carpooling and car sharing.
• 8 - Several measures are also seen as beneficial for personal finances: 57% of French people attribute a positive impact to the greening of public spaces, 56% to the limitation of concrete and 55% to the development of public transport.

French people yearn for social justice. Integrating social measures is necessary, as well as ecological measures that support social well-being.

• 9 - 68% of French people support prioritizing the most disadvantaged in local policies to combat pollution and climate change. This support transcends political divides.
• 10 - Offering healthier and local meals at social prices in school canteens is almost unanimously supported, with 87% of people in favour.

For Daphné Chamard-Teirlinck (SCCF): “The results of this survey are unambiguous: the French, and even more so the residents of working-class neighborhoods, strongly support municipal initiatives for the ecological transition and expect candidates in the upcoming municipal elections to make clear commitments on this issue. They know that these policies address very concrete needs – housing, transportation, food, and health protection – and that they can improve their daily lives if they are fair and accessible. The commitment to solidarity remains strong, with overwhelming support for prioritizing the most vulnerable.”

Ifop study for Climate Action Network and Secours Catholique – Caritas France conducted via online self-administered questionnaire from December 3 to 15, 2025 among:

• … From a sample of 1.004 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over
• … From a sample of 1.050 people, representative of the population of disadvantaged neighborhoods (QPV) aged 18 and over

Survey methodology

The survey was conducted among:

• From a sample of 1.004 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over
• From a sample of 1.050 people, representative of the population of disadvantaged neighborhoods (QPV)[1] aged 18 and over

The representativeness of the sample was ensured by the quota method (sex, age, profession of the respondent) after stratification:

• By region and by category of urban area for the national sample,
• By region for the representative sample of the population of disadvantaged neighborhoods (QPV).

The interviews were conducted via an online self-administered questionnaire from December 3 to 15, 2025.

[1] Priority neighborhoods under the urban policy are areas of intervention by the State and local authorities, defined by the Urban Planning and Social Cohesion Act of February 21, 2014, with the shared objective of reducing development disparities between disadvantaged neighborhoods and their urban areas. In metropolitan France, they were identified according to a single criterion: per capita income. The identification of priority neighborhoods was carried out using gridded data from INSEE (source: Localized Social and Tax Incomes for Metropolitan France).

[2] Ifop study for La Tribune Dimanche, carried out by self-administered online questionnaire from 21 to 28 October 2025 with a sample of 2525 people residing in cities of 5000 inhabitants and more, taken from a sample of 4044 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.