Deloitte Survey Finds Growing Public Experience With Extreme Weather, Shifting Climate Attitudes & Workplace Expectations

Key Takeaways

• Rising Firsthand Experience: More than half of global respondents say they’ve personally experienced extreme weather since 2022, with intense summer heat most common.
• Local and Global Impact: Recent flooding near our own offices underscores the personal nature of climate change impacts and reflects global trends.
• Shifting Beliefs: Those who’ve faced climate events are far more likely to see climate change as an emergency, especially younger adults aged 18–34.
• Behavioral Change: Most respondents report adjusting personal habits, with climate considerations influencing relocation, investment choices, and product purchases.
• Talent Implications: Belief that employers are doing enough on sustainability has fallen from 45% in 2021 to 38% in 2025, with about a quarter of workers considering switching to more sustainable employers.

Deep Dive

Extreme weather is no longer an abstract headline, it’s becoming a lived experience for much of the world. Deloitte’s latest Sustainability Signals survey shows that more than half of people globally have faced events like intense summer heat, flooding, or powerful storms in the past few years, with these encounters strongly shaping attitudes, spending habits, and workplace expectations.

It’s a shift that feels especially tangible this week, as the streets around our own offices have recently been hit by severe flooding—showing how quickly climate impacts can move from distant news stories to immediate disruptions in daily life. Deloitte’s data suggests that such personal encounters are a key driver of the growing view, shared by a stable majority worldwide, that climate change is an emergency.

The survey, conducted twice a year, draws insights from roughly 20,000 respondents across 20 countries. Since Deloitte began tracking experiences with extreme weather in 2021, the percentage of people reporting such events has steadily risen. Intense summer heat tops the list, but the data also captures exposure to flooding, wildfires, droughts, and increasingly powerful storms.

Those who have lived through climate-related events are far more likely to see climate change as an urgent crisis. Globally, younger adults (particularly those aged 18 to 34) stand out, not only for their higher rates of declaring climate change an emergency, but also for their stronger emotional responses. Anger, fear, determination, and even guilt feature prominently, reflecting a generation that sees climate change less as a distant challenge and more as a daily reality to be confronted.

From Shopping Baskets to Street Addresses
Deloitte’s findings make it clear that climate awareness is influencing personal choices in concrete ways. Most respondents report adjusting their habits to reduce their environmental impact, whether by changing consumption patterns, cutting back on energy use, or supporting more sustainable products and services.

Relocation decisions are also being shaped by climate considerations. Globally, half of respondents said environmental factors would influence where they live in the future, and 11% have already moved or plan to move to reduce their exposure to climate risks. Among younger adults, that rises to two-thirds, a telling signal for cities and regions grappling with the economic and demographic implications of climate migration.

Sustainability is making its way into financial decisions as well. About one-third of respondents said environmental considerations now influence their investments or banking choices. However, enthusiasm for sustainable products faces familiar hurdles: price remains the biggest barrier, and global demand has plateaued despite growing awareness. As Deloitte notes, companies able to offer sustainable products at competitive prices may be better positioned to capture market share.

The workplace data may be just as concerning for business leaders as the climate data is for policymakers. In September 2021, 45% of respondents believed their employer was doing enough on climate change and sustainability. By March 2025, that number had dropped to 38%.

The consequences go beyond employee sentiment. Around one in four employed respondents have considered leaving their job for a more sustainable employer. Among job seekers, a similar share said they would weigh a company’s environmental stance before accepting an offer. For businesses competing for talent, particularly younger talent, ignoring sustainability could mean losing out on skilled workers.

Signals Leaders Can’t Ignore
The picture Deloitte paints is one of a public increasingly touched by climate events, increasingly willing to change personal behavior, and increasingly likely to hold employers accountable. That’s both a challenge and an opportunity for organizations.

Companies that take proactive steps—whether by reducing their own environmental footprint, aligning products with sustainable values, or engaging employees meaningfully on climate initiatives—may find themselves better equipped to navigate a hotter, less predictable world. Those that don’t risk falling behind, both in the marketplace and in the talent race.

Deloitte’s interactive dashboard and full Sustainability Signals reports offer a detailed breakdown of the trends, giving leaders a tool to better understand the shifting expectations of consumers, employees, and communities in the face of climate change.

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