The key finding of the survey was that 80% of respondents want their governments to step up efforts to combat climate change. (Source: Hurriyet Daily News)

In a survey of 75,000 people, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the University of Oxford and GeoPoll asked 15 questions through random phone calls to people in 77 countries, representing 87% of the world's population. Accordingly, 80% of respondents want their governments to increase efforts to combat global warming.

Poorer countries were most vocal with 89% of people supporting it, although support was also high among wealthy G20 nations at 76%, the survey found.

China (73%) and the US (66%), the world's two largest greenhouse gas emitters, also showed a majority of their people support climate action.

“As world leaders decide on further commitments under the Paris Agreement before 2025, these results are irrefutable evidence that people around the world support strong climate action,” said Cassie Flynn, UNDP’s global climate chief.

Majorities of people surveyed in 62 of 77 countries said they support a rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.

The survey also found that concerns about climate change have increased, with 56% of respondents saying they think about climate change at least once a week.