EU citizens believe that governments should take charge of the energy transition

A supranational survey conducted across the European Union, as part of the Horizon 2020 research project GRETA (Green Energy Transition Actions), revealed that EU citizens believe that governments should take charge of the energy transition.

Based on the GRETA study, more than 60% of EU citizens agree that energy traditions are a common task, to which everyone should contribute. However, opportunities to participate are not equal for everyone.

About 40% of citizens can be classified as apathetic, skeptical, conditional, or immature, and are unlikely to increase their participation without more sustained support.

“For example, a fifth of citizens belong to the limited group, which is aware of energy issues, but entrusts the task of solving them to science. “They may be interested in saving energy, but they don’t have the resources to invest themselves.”

Based on case studies and research conducted at GRETA in several countries, the biggest obstacles to citizen participation are financial constraints, lack of knowledge and an individual attitude that says “it’s not worth it”. Many people still believe that it is up to their governments to lead policies on energy efficiency and conservation.

The data also shows that there are differences between countries. Of the 16 countries surveyed, Portugal is the country most enthusiastic about the energy transition – around 50% of the population. It is also the least concerned country, as there is no interest in climate issues. In comparison, the highest rates of indifferent, skeptical, and unavailable climate action are in Denmark (30%), Germany (26%), and the Czech Republic (26%).

“In 2019, the Portuguese Government introduced changes to the system of self-consumption of renewable electricity. In this way, it was able to support the creation of renewable energy communities and individual and collective self-consumption of energy, as well as direct exchange. “This is a good example of a Member State implementing a regulatory framework derived from the Directives European Renewable Energy Consortium 2018,” says LUT Associate Professor Annika Wolff in the release.

The GRETA findings are the result of a supra-national investigation, involving around 10,000 participants in 16 EU countries, as well as six case studies carried out in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands and globally across the Union.

The research was conducted in September and October 2022 in 16 EU countries, including Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain. About 10,000 responses were obtained.

The sample size corresponds to a margin of error of about 1% and a confidence level of 95% (at EU level). The sample respected age, gender, and geographic distribution criteria to ensure appropriate representation in each country.

According to a European-wide survey, more than half of EU citizens are already actively involved in the energy transition. The same study also reveals that there are significant differences between countries and that existing obstacles do not allow for a greater impact.

Energy issues divide European citizens: about 60% are already actively involved in the energy transition, but the rest are neglected.

Based on research including around 10,000 participants from 16 EU countries, eight distinct profiles were identified among EU citizens, based on their attitudes and behaviors regarding the energy transition.

The profiles differ from each other in the way they are actively involved in the energy transition, and in their attitudes, motivations and resources regarding sustainable energy-related initiatives.

The eight profiles cover the range from least to most active: indifferent; Skeptics. conditional; Immature; Motivated, impulsive; major investors; Established; Experts.

The study shows that 58% of EU citizens are people who are part of the last four profiles.