Irish citizens have become more aware of the issues surrounding climate change and are making greater efforts to tackle the problem, according to the latest European Union barometer of public opinion.
The survey found 66 per cent of Irish people now claimed to be well informed on the issue, compared with 59 per cent in 2008.
This still put Ireland well behind the top-ranked state Sweden, where 83 per cent of citizens said they were aware of climate change, but it was better than the EU average of 55 per cent.
Surprisingly, Irish citizens, often portrayed as less concerned about the environment than their EU counterparts, ranked fourth highest for making a personal contribution to fighting climate change.
Some 74 per cent of Irish people are taking action of some kind, with only citizens of Sweden, the UK and Slovenia being more engaged.
The survey also found that 58 per cent of people in Ireland still feel that climate change is one of the most serious problems facing the world and 68 per cent of people thought that fighting climate change would have a positive effect on the economy and create jobs.
Women and younger people were more likely to consider climate change a serious whereas men, over 55s and those with right-wing political views and lower levels of education are least likely to be concerned.