Public perceptions and attitudes relating to climate change and the just transition in South Africa: results from a 2023 nationally representative survey

Abstract

The Climate Change and Just Transition survey was conducted on behalf of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) as part of the 2023 annual round of the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) series, involving a representative sample of 3,500 adults aged 16 and older across South Africa?s nine provinces. The sample excluded special institutions, recreational, and industrial areas. The sampling methodology involved three stages. In stage one, 500 Small Area Layers (SALs) were selected and formed the primary sampling units. In stage two, seven visiting points or dwellings were selected per SAL (secondary sampling units). In stage three, a single respondent aged 16 years and older was selected from each dwelling unit, thus totalling a drawn sample of 3,500 respondents. The fieldwork was conducted between August to October 2023, with a realised sample of 3,112 successfully completed interviews.