The results of an EU survey published on 7 October reveal that European are increasingly concerned by climate change, and that a very large majority of them recognize the clear economic benefits of action to tackle this threat...
The poll was carried out in June 2011 by the Commission´s body Eurobarometer. It shows that more than two thirds of Europeans see climate change as a very serious problem, and that almost four out of five consider that taking action to fight climate change can boost economy and jobs. It further indicates widespread expectations in Member States that the EU will become a climate-friendly, low-carbon society by 2050.

The poll´s results show that Europeans are increasingly concerned by climate change, compared to 2009, when the previous climate survey was carried out. Overall, climate change was seen as the second most serious problem facing the world, after poverty, hunger and lack of drinking water. 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 can boost the EU economy and jobs - coñpared to 63% in 2009. In no Member State did fewer than two in three support this view. 68% of interrogated people are supportive of basing taxation to a greater extent on energy use, in line with DG Environment´s call for a gradual shift of taxation from labour to energy.

The public expects Europe to become a climate-friendly society by 2050, a vision the Commission outlined earlier this year in its Roadmap to a competitive low-carbon economy. Almost nine out of 10 (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. Europeans tend to believe that climate action must be the responsibility mainly of national governments, the EU and business.

Just over half of those polled (53%) 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.

Commenting on the survey´s results, EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: "This is encouraging news! This survey shows that the citizens of Europe can see that the economic challenges are not the only challenges we face. It shows that the clear majority of Europeans expect their politicians and business leaders to address the serious climate challenge now. 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."