The findings confirm what many already believe.

Released on Wednesday, the poll organised by Oxford University and the United Nations used pop-up surveys on online games such as Angry Birds to solicit answers from hard-to-reach groups including those too young to vote.

Responses were received from more than 1.2 million people in 50 countries, the largest survey to be carried out on climate change.

Among the findings of the People's Climate Vote survey was that almost 70 per cent of people under 18 believe climate change is a global emergency, as opposed to 58 per cent of those over 60.

The overall average was 64 per cent.

The United Nations Development Programme's Cassie Flynn said this showed a "groundswell of support for ambitious climate action" that world leaders should take on board.

The poll comes at a critical time for governments as they plan stimulus packages to recover from the COVID-19 slump that will influence future generations, she added.

"This provides an unprecedented, comprehensive view of not only if people believe there is a climate crisis but also how they want to solve it, what are their priorities to get us out of this mess," Flynn said.

Public belief in the emergency was highest in Britain - which is due to host a global UN Summit on climate change in Scotland in November - and Italy with 81 per cent.

Support for climate action was much higher among those who had gone to university, the survey showed.

Overall, the most popular climate policy was efforts to conserve forests and land, receiving support from 54 per cent of respondents.

The least popular was the promotion of plant-based diets.

Australian Associated Press