Brussels, 10/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Developing renewable energy to fight climate change and the EU's energy dependence: this is the EU citizens' principal expectation, according to the Eurobarometer survey "Energy: problems, solutions and technology", which heard from 16,000 people from the fifteen Member States, and which was presented last Thursday by the Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin. The survey also shows that citizens lack information on energy research and are worried about nuclear issues.
88% of those surveyed felt that global warming and climate change are serious problems which require immediate action. This is due to the use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil (75%), natural gas (65%), nuclear energy (47%) and transport (74%). 86% of citizens were aware that energy consumption was on the up in their country, and 79% that it was increasing throughout the EU. Dependence on petrol-powered transportation was also largely recognised (85%). The EU's energy dependence was a problem to be resolved through research into new energy sources within the EU (52%) and economic energy policies (51%). In the long term, renewable energy is seen as more beneficial, efficient and environmentally friendly. It should therefore be a research priority (69%) above developing greener means of transport (51%). Nuclear power remains problematic for the respondents. They are either negatively disposed towards, or have no opinion on, issues relating to safety, waste and the environmental impact of nuclear power. 59%, however, believe that continued research into nuclear power is necessary, particularly in terms of increasing safety in power stations (48%), and managing radioactive waste (43%), also in non-EU Member States. As to general government energy policy, the citizens felt that the priorities should be protecting the environment (72%), low prices to consumers (62%), and uninterrupted energy supply (32%). The respondents also felt that industry's behaviour has the greatest impact in terms of energy saving, and requested stricter regulations and controls on them. Respondents carried out energy-saving measures at home, such as switching lights off (48%). Few such measures were envisaged at work (7%), and in transportation. Only 25% of those questioned were prepared to pay more for renewable energy. Finally, 85% felt they were ill informed on European research into energy and would like to know more about it, particularly on energy efficiency in the private sector, renewable energy and the safety of nuclear plants. Their information sources were largely mass media: television (80%), newspapers (47%), radio (27%), and Internet (10%).
Mr Busquin learns a lesson from the Eurobarometer study
Mr Busquin feels that the survey supports the Commission's energy, transport and research policies. He is also pleased to note "the population's increased awareness of, and greater preference for renewable energy". The Commission feels that its budget allocation for the 6th framework programme for research and development "takes full account of the citizens' wishes", as 810 million euro are assigned to renewable energy (EUROPE points out that a further 750 million euro are destined for nuclear research). The citizens' concerns about the EU's energy dependence means that "no energy source must be neglected" and that "the nuclear option remains open". His only regret is the fact that the citizens underestimate transport's contribution to increasing energy consumption and that they "are unaware of the importance of individual actions".