Public concern about climate change is at its highest level according to a new GlobeScan/BBC World Service poll conducted in 23 countries, which began international tracking in 1998.

Nearly two thirds of those polled now say climate change is a “very serious” problem. However, concern has fallen in China and the USA.

On the eve of the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, only six per cent of the 24,000 people polled want their government to oppose a climate deal being reached in Denmark.

The poll also shows that, in spite of the global recession, an average of 61% support their governments making investments to address climate change, even if these investments hurt the economy.

However, the poll finds that public opinion in the world’s two largest emitters of CO2 is more ambivalent. While the Chinese are the most likely to support government investments to address climate change even if these harm the economy (with 89% in favour), only 52% of Americans feel the same way.

The overall results show that there is strong support for governments taking an ambitious approach to the Copenhagen negotiations. On average, 44%—and majorities in 10 of the 23 countries polled—say they want their government to “play a leading role in setting ambitious targets to address climate change” at Copenhagen.

A further 39% think their government should “adopt a more moderate approach and support only gradual action.” Only six per cent want their government to oppose any agreement.

Majorities in major European nations support their government playing a strong leadership role in Copenhagen—62% in the UK, 57% in France, and 55% in Germany. Other governments being pressed by their citizens to show leadership include Canada (61%), Australia (57%), Japan (57%), and Brazil (53%).

The survey also finds that concern about climate change continues on an upward trend, even in a recession year. Thirteen of the countries in this year’s survey have been polled regularly by GlobeScan over the last eleven years on their views of climate change: since 1998, the proportion rating it as a “very serious” issue for the world has climbed from 44% to 63%.

Outright opposition to a deal is limited to small minorities in all survey countries. The countries with the highest proportions of those opposing any international agreement are the United States (14%), Brazil (12%), and Pakistan (12%).

The results are drawn from a survey of 24,071 adult citizens in 23 countries, conducted by the international polling firm GlobeScan between 19 June and 13 October, 2009.

From a press release

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