For 41% of respondents, energy policy should make it possible to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energies in order to fight climate change, according to the results of a Eurobarometer special survey published on Wednesday, 11 September.
The survey on European citizens' attitudes towards EU energy policy also shows that, for one third of people, this policy should reduce energy consumption and ensure more competitive energy prices.
Switching to renewable energy. Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energies to combat climate change is the most common response in 17 of the 28 EU Member States and the most popular response in Croatia (36%).
Six in ten respondents gave this answer in Sweden (62%), the Netherlands (61%) and Finland (60%) as did a majority in Germany (54%) and Denmark (52%).
In eight Member States, ensuring a more competitive price for consumers is the most important response among energy policy objectives. For respondents in Slovakia, the priority is the safety of nuclear energy (36%).
The survey also shows that more than 92% of people agree that the EU must guarantee access to energy for all EU citizens. For 90% of respondents, the EU must also guarantee access to clean energy.
The most frequently cited priorities for the next ten years: - investing and developing clean energy technologies; - ensuring that costs are as low as possible; - stepping up international efforts to reduce climate change.
In a series of separate questions about the EU energy label, the survey confirms that 93% of the population recognise the label and that 79% of Europeans have been influenced by it when purchasing an appliance. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)