Climate concern persists as Europeans question the cost of green policies
A poll commissioned by Mandate Research found support for expanding clean power, despite doubts about the financial benefits of environmental policies.
Concern about climate change remains widespread, but many Europeans believe environmental policies have left people financially worse off, a survey commissioned by UK-based consultancy Mandate Research found. Respondents also backed clean power as a way to lower energy costs.
In the Netherlands, 54 per cent said ordinary people had lost out because of environmental policies, while 12 per cent thought they had benefited. The negative view was shared by 46 per cent in Spain, 45 per cent in both Germany and France, and 44 per cent in Hungary.
Majorities expressed concern about climate change in each of the ten countries surveyed: the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, the US, Sweden, the Netherlands and Hungary. Nevertheless, reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 was among respondents’ lowest-ranked climate priorities.
Adding clean electricity capacity topped the ranking of measures to cut energy costs in eight countries. In Hungary, 64 per cent expected a move to renewables to lower bills, while 22 per cent disagreed. In Italy, the corresponding figures were 55 per cent and 22 per cent.
The findings coincide with debate among EU governments over energy targets beyond 2030. Ministers discussed efficiency, electricity interconnections and electrification, with differing positions on how much flexibility national energy systems should have.
France and 14 other Nuclear Alliance members favour an approach recognising nuclear power equally alongside renewables. Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg want a separate renewable-energy target.
