Brussels, 07/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - In the midst of an economic crisis, more than two Europeans in three consider climate change as a very serious problem and almost 80% consider that taking action to combat it can boost the economy and jobs. This is the main conclusion from the Eurobarometer survey carried out in June, the results of which were published on Friday 7 October. The poll also revealed that the European public is more concerned about climate change than it was in 2009 - and that climate change remains a greater worry than the economic situation. Furthermore, the survey also shows a widespread expectation that the European Union will become a climate-friendly, low-carbon society by the middle of this century.
Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, informed the press that she was delighted with these results, as well as the preliminary opinion made the day before by the advocate general at the European Court of Justice on ETS and aviation (EUROPE 10468): “It is striking that the public is even more concerned about climate change than it was in the run-up to the Copenhagen Climate Conference. In particular, the fact that more than 3 out of 4 Europeans see improving energy efficiency as a way to create new jobs is a strong signal to Europe's decision makers. I see this poll very much as an encouragement also for us in the Commission to continue fighting for ambitious and concrete climate action in Europe.” She said that they were delighted that this preliminary opinion is unambiguous, which was a good thing for Europe and added that they would keep a constructive dialogue going with third countries.
Twenty thousand individual interviews were conducted in this poll with a representative dataset of the population aged over 15 in 27 member states. The Eurobarometer survey (372 climate change special) demonstrates that:
68% of those polled considered climate change a very serious problem (up from 64% in 2009). Altogether 89% saw it as a serious problem (either “very serious” or “fairly serious”). On a scale of 1 (least) to 10 (most), the seriousness of climate change was ranked at 7.4, against 7.1 in 2009. Extreme climate phenomena in 2010 and particularly hot years (like 2005) undoubtedly contributed to the understanding of the seriousness of the problem, explained Commissioner Hedegaard.
- Despite dramatic developments in the economic situation, climate change was seen as the second most serious problem facing the world, after poverty, hunger and lack of drinking water (considered as a single issue). One in five people surveyed considered climate change the single most serious problem. 51% (up from 47% in 2009) said it was either the most or one of the most serious problems, compared with 45% who said this about the economic situation.
78% agreed that fighting climate change and improving energy efficiency could boost the EU economy and jobs - up from 2009 when 63% agreed that climate action could boost economy and jobs. In no Member State (older or newer member states combined) did fewer than two in three support this view.
68% support basing taxation to a greater extent on energy use. The commissioner said that this is a very clear message to the governments. Taxation requires greening, with more taxes on greater energy use rather than on one's income. She called on member states to support the amendment to the directive on the energy tax to include a tax on CO2.
(88%) expect that in 2050 Europe will use more renewable energy, 87% that Europe will be more energy-efficient and 73% that cars will be powered more efficiently than today. This is an encouraging result because citizens had never hitherto been asked this question.
Tackling climate change is seen as the responsibility mainly of national governments, the EU and business. Only 21% considered they had a personal responsibility, but a further 23% spontaneously suggested that all actors, including themselves, shared a collective responsibility.
53% of those polled said they had taken some kind of action to combat climate change over
the previous six months, but the proportion turned out to be higher when they were asked
which specific actions they had taken: 66% respondents stated that they reduced and recycled household waste, the most common action taken. To consult the Eurobarometer: (http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb_special_379_360_fr.htm #372). (AN/transl.fl)