Europeans’ Attitudes Towards Climate Change
Special Eurobarometer 300EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTEuropeanCommissionEuropeans’ attitudes towardsclimate changeFieldwork March – May 2008Publication September 2008Special Eurobarometer 300 / Wave 69.2 – TNS opinion & socialReportThis survey was requested by the European Commission and the European Parliament andcoordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication of the European CommissionThis document does not represent the European Parliament’s or the European Commission’s point of view.The interpretations and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors.
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changeTable of contentsINTRODUCTION . 21.Perceptions of climate change and global warming . 51.1Serious problems facing the world. 51.1.1 The two most serious problems in the world. 51.1.2 The most serious problem in the world . 91.2Assessing the seriousness of the issue .121.3Global warming or climate change – a matter of terminology?.151.3.1. Impact of terminology on the estimated degree of seriousness ofclimate change.161.3.2. Impact of terminology on what is considered to be the most seriousproblems.162.Level of information about climate change . 183.Combating climate change . 223.1Attitudes towards climate change and ways of fighting it .223.1.1 Alternative fuels .243.1.2 Personal action taken to fight climate change .263.1.3 Impact on the European economy.293.1.4 Climate change is not an unstoppable process .323.1.5 Impact of CO2 emissions on climate change.343.1.6 The “seriousness” of climate change .373.2Level of responsibilities .403.2.1 Corporations and industry .413.2.2 The citizens themselves .433.2.3 National governments .463.2.4 The European Union .483.3Perceptions of the EU's objectives to fight climate change .514.Citizens’ involvement in fighting climate change . 624.1Actions taken to fight climate change .624.2Preparedness to pay more for green energy .684.3Reasons for taking action against climate change .724.4Reasons for not taking action against climate change.76CONCLUSION . 80AnnexesTechnical specificationsQuestionnaireTables1
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changeINTRODUCTIONThis report presents the results of a survey on Europeans' attitudes towards climatechange, which was carried out in spring 2008.Over the past years, climate change has gained top priority on international politicalagendas.The European Union is one of the front-runners in the global fight against climatechange1. In 2007, European leaders agreed on a reduction of greenhouse gasemissions by at least 20% (or 30% if other main international actors take oncommitments) by 2020. This target is considerably more ambitious than the overallobjective to which the EU committed under the Kyoto protocol: an 8% decrease by2012, based on 1990 levels. The EU wants to reach this ambitious objective usingefficiency measures to reduce total energy consumption, an extended EmissionTrading System in order to give incentives to reduce CO2 emissions and byincreasing the share of energy from renewable sources and the share of alternative2fuels3.The issue of climate change has not only raised concern at the political top levels.Intense (international) media attention has fostered a lively public debate. It is inthis light that this Eurobarometer survey has been conducted, with the overarchingaim of exploring European citizens’ attitudes towards climate change.Its focus is on:9Measuring the impact of the terminological differences between globalwarming and climate change on citizens’ perception.9Citizens’ perceptions of the seriousness of global warming / climate change.9The extent to which citizens feel informed about climate change.9Citizens' attitudes towards climate change and ways of combating it.9Actions aimed at fighting climate change.9Targets for reducing emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy.This Eurobarometer survey was commissioned by the Directorate General forCommunication of the European Commission, on behalf of the European Parliamentand the European Commission. It was carried out by TNS opinion & social networkbetween the 25th of March and the 4th of May 2008. The interviews were conductedamong 30,170 citizens in the 27 Member States of the European Union, the threecandidate countries for accession to the European Union (Croatia, Turkey and theFormer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and in the Turkish Cypriot Community.1 http://ec.europa.eu/climateaction/index en.htm2Please note that the term most frequently used in EU policies is biofuels or renewable fuels in transport. The EU targetof 10% by 2020 refers to fuels from renewable energy sources, which include mainly biofuels, but subject to furtherprogress in technology development can also include electric plug-ins and hydrogen, provided these are sourced fromrenewable /home en.htm2
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changeThe methodology used is that of Eurobarometer surveys as carried out by theDirectorate General for Communication (“Research and Political Analysis” Unit)4 ofthe European Commission. A technical note on the manner in which interviews wereconducted by the Institutes within the TNS Opinion & Social network is appended asan annex to this report. This note indicates the interview methods and theconfidence intervals5.As mentioned above, one of the aims of this survey is to measure the impact of theterminological differences between global warming and climate change on citizens’perceptions. From a methodological point of view, the poll has therefore been dividedinto two groups for the first two questions: the term global warming was used for thefirst half of the sample ("Split A"), while climate change was used for the second half("Split B"). In this Eurobarometer report the results will be presented individually andin aggregate form.The results, generally speaking, show that there is no major impact of theterminology used. It appears that the two terms have a similar meaning for therespondents (this will be developed further in chapter 1.3.). The term climatechange has been used throughout the rest of the questionnaire.The findings of this survey are in the first place analysed at EU level and secondly bycountry. Where applicable, different socio-demographic variables - such asrespondents’ gender, age, education, occupation and political orientation - have beenused to take the analysis further. In addition, the following key variables were usedin the analysis to gain deeper insight in citizens’ views on climate change:9Respondents’ subjective level of information about the causes andconsequences of climate change and the ways of fighting it: QE3:"Personally, do you think that you are well informed or not about ? Thedifferent causes of climate change; The different consequences of climatechange; Ways in which we can fight climate change."9Their perception of the seriousness of climate change: QE2: "Howserious a problem do you think global warming / climate change is at thismoment? Please use a scale from 1 to 10, 1 would mean that it is not aserious problem at all and 10 would mean that it is extremely serious."4http://ec.europa.eu/public opinion/index en.htmThe results tables are included in the annex. It should be noted that the total of the percentages in the tables of thisreport may exceed 100% when the respondent can give several answers to the same question.53
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changeIn this report, the countries are represented by their official abbreviations. Theabbreviations used in this report correspond to:ABBREVIATIONSEU27European Union – 27 Member StatesDK/NADon’t know / No PLPTROSISKFISEUKBelgiumBulgariaCzech RepublicDenmarkEast GermanyGermanyWest c of Cyprus*Area not controlled by the government of theRepublic of CyprusLithuaniaLatviaLuxembourgHungaryMaltaThe vakiaFinlandSwedenThe United KingdomHRCroatiaTRMKTurkeyThe former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia**CY (tcc)*Cyprus as a whole is one of the 27 European Union Member States. However, the “acquiscommunautaire” is suspended in the part of the country that is not controlled by the government of theRepublic of Cyprus. For practical reasons, only the interviews conducted in the part of the countrycontrolled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus are recorded in the category “CY” and included inthe EU27 average. The interviews conducted in the part of the country not controlled by the governmentof the Republic of Cyprus are recorded in the category “CY(tcc)” [tcc: Turkish Cypriot Community].** Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country,which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place at the United Nations.4
Special EUROBAROMETER 3001.Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changePerceptions of climate change and global warming1.1Serious problems facing the world- Poverty and global warming / climate change are considered the mostserious problems in the worldClimate change has become a major concern for many citizens. In the followingparagraphs we will take a look at citizens’ perceptions of global warming and climatechange. The poll was initially divided into two groups, to measure the impact of theterminological differences on peoples’ perceptions6. In the next few paragraphs thefindings will be treated in aggregate form. The matter of terminology will bedeveloped further in 1.3.1.1.1 The two most serious problems in the worldWhen looking at the total aggregate of respondents’ answers7 to what they considerto be the most serious problems8, “global warming / climate change” ranksecond after “poverty, the lack of food and drinking water”. While 68% thinkthat “poverty, the lack of food and drinking water” is one of the most seriousproblems our world faces now, 62% feel that “global warming / climate change” alsois among the most serious problems.“International terrorism” is considered to be one of the most serious problemsthe world is facing by just over half of the poll (53%), while 38% mention “armedconflicts”. Nearly a quarter of respondents thinks that this is true for “a majorglobal economic downturn” (24%), “the spread of an infectious disease”(23%) or “the proliferation of nuclear weapons” (23%). Around a fifth (19%)believe that the “increasing world population” is the major problem.6“Split A” measuring their perceptions of global warming, “Split B” measuring their perceptions of climate change.This analysis is based on all answers given by the respondents (i.e. first and other answers)QE1 In your opinion, which of the following do you consider to be the most serious problem currently facing the world asa whole? Firstly? Any others?785
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changeQE1 In your opinion, which of the following do you consider to bethe most serious problem currently facing the world as a whole?Firstly? Any others? - % EUPoverty, lack of foodand drinking l terrorism53%Armed conflicts38%A major globaleconomic downturn24%The spread of aninfectious disease23%The proliferation ofnuclear weapons23%The increasing worldpopulationDK19%3%6
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changeAt the country level, absolute majorities in nearly all countries regard "globalwarming/climate change" as a serious problem, with the exception of citizensin the Czech Republic (45% consider this to be a serious problem), Italy and Portugal(both 47%). In Cyprus (92%) and Greece (90%) around nine in ten citizens thinkthat “global warming / climate change” is one of the most serious problems, inSlovenia this figure is as high as eight respondents in ten.7
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate change“Poverty and the lack of food and drinking water” and “global warming /climate change” are considered the most serious problems facing the world innearly all countries polled. Only Bulgarian, British and Czech citizens seem to have aslightly different opinion – in these countries “international terrorism” representsthe largest proportion of answers.Cypriots, Luxemburgish, Dutch, Swedes and Croats are particularly likely to say thatthe issue of “poverty and the lack of food and drinking water” is among themost important issues facing the world today.“Armed conflicts” are perceived as especially serious problems in Slovakia and theNetherlands, while “a major global economic downturn” is cited in particular bythe Irish and the Greeks, “the spread of an infectious disease” is mainlymentioned by citizens in Malta, “the proliferation of nuclear weapons” especiallyby Greeks and Cypriots and “the increasing world population” by Dutchrespondents in particular.QE1T In your opinion, which of the following do you consider to be the most serious problem currently facing the world as a whole? Firstly? Any others?Poverty,lack offood anddrinkingwaterGlobal warming /climate changeInternationalterrorismArmedconflictsA 79%66%71%80%53%80%66%73%74%57%CY 63%72%60%59%TheThe spreadof anproliferation %45%51%44%Highest score per item16%31%* Area not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus810%35%32%34%XX highest score per country7%2%16%7%5%1%
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate change1.1.2 The most serious problem in the worldConsidering only respondents’ first answer makes “global warming / climatechange” top the list of serious problems in the world, next to the issue of“poverty, lack of food and drinking water”.QE1a / b In your opinion, which of the following do you consider tobe the most serious problem currently facing the world as awhole? Firstly ? % EUGlobal warming /climate change30%Poverty, lack of foodand drinking 0%35%Cypriot, Slovenian and Greek respondents are particularly likely to think that “globalwarming / climate change” is the most important problem that our world currentlyfaces.9
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changeWe now return to the analysis of all answers given by the respondents (first andother answers). When taking into account different socio-demographic variables itappears that:9Men more frequently consider “global warming / climate change” to be aserious problem than women. In their turn, women are slightly more inclinedthan men to see “poverty and the lack of food and drinking water” as one ofthe most serious problems.9Young respondents generally tend to show a high level of sensitivity toenvironmental issues. People aged 15 to 24 years are more inclined to thinkthat “global warming / climate change” is a serious problem than olderrespondents (67 % compared to 56 %). The frequency with which thisproblem is mentioned, in fact, increases as age levels fall. A reverse patterncan be observed for the issue of “international terrorism”.9Respondents who studied until they reached the age of 20 or beyondare considerably more likely to find “global warming / climate change” aserious problem than those who finished their studies at an age of 15 orbefore. This pattern also exists for items like poverty, armed conflicts,economic downturn, proliferation of nuclear weapons and increasing worldpopulation. International terrorism and the spread of an infectious disease,however, are more frequently mentioned by those who finished their studiesearlier.9Those who position themselves at the left end of the political scaleappear to mention “global warming / climate change” considerably more oftenthan respondents at the right end of the scale. A similar tendency can beobserved for the issue of poverty. On the other hand, “international terrorism”is cited more often by respondents on the right side of the political spectrumthan by those on the left.9“Global warming / climate change” is mentioned most frequently bymanagers and students and, conversely, the least by house persons andretired people. These figures reflect the differences in respondents’educational and age levels.The issue of “climate change / global warming” appears to be the most or secondmost important problem across all socio-demographic categories.10
Special EUROBAROMETER 300Europeans’ attitudes towards climate changeQE1 In your opinion, which of the following do you consider to be the mostserious problem currently facing the world as a whole? Firstly? Any others?Poverty,Globallack of 2%55 67%56%55%Education (End of)1567%53%56%16-1966%63%54%20 70%67%50%Still Studying70%69%49%Left-Right scale(1-4) Left73%66%49%(5-6) Centre68%64%54%(7-10) Right66%60%57%Respondent occupation scaleSelf- employed69%63%51%Managers70%68%50%Other white collars67%62%51%Manual workers65%65%54%House %Students70%69%49%The extent to which respondents feel informed about certain topics related to climatechange, i.e. their subjective level of information, appears to be of crucial influence ontheir perception of “global warming / climate change” (for more information aboutrespondents’ self-perceived levels of information about the topic, see chapter 2).Those who say that they feel informed about the issue are signific
Europeans’ attitudes towards climate change Fieldwork March – May 2008 Publication September 2008 Special Eurobarometer 300 / Wave 69.2 – TNS opinion & social This survey was requested by the European Commission and the European Parliament and coordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication of the European Commission
attitudes towards climate change, 2009b) 62 Table 7: Split according to the difficulty to pay bills (Europeans’ attitudes towards climate change, 2009b) 62 Table 8: Comparative overview of findings from the studies on Europeans’ attitudes towards climate change from 2008 and 2009 63
SPECIAL EUROBAROMETER 313 Europeans’ attitudes towards climate change 3 INTRODUCTION This report presents the results of a survey on Europeans' attitudes towards climate change which was carried out in January and February 2009. Over the past years, climate change has gained top priority on international political agendas.
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Europeans' attitudes towards climate change (2009) Europeans' attitudes towards climate change (2008) Communication and the EU (see also "General surveys"): Information on Europe on television (2007) EU communication and the citizens (decision makers survey) (2006)
(tidigare växthusaffekten) (Gender aspects of the knowledge and attitudes to climate change). Stockholm, Sweden: ARS research AB. European Commission (2007) Europeans and Nuclear Safety, Special Eurobarometer 271, Brussels European Commission (2009a) Europeans’ attitudes towards climate change. Special Eurobarometer 322, Brussels
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