• fr
  • en

Results of the latest Eurobarometer survey on climate change have been published!

A Eurobarometer survey was carried out in the 28 Member States of the European Union in March 2017 on the topic of climate change. This latest edition of the survey covers four main areas:

  • Perceptions of climate change (where climate change ranks alongside other global challenges, and how serious the problem of climate change itself is considered to be),
  • Taking action on climate change: who has primary responsibility for addressing the problem, and personal steps taken to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Attitudes to fighting climate change and reducing fossil fuel imports: whether fighting climate change, reducing fossil fuel imports and promoting EU expertise in clean technologies is considered good for the economy; and whether more public financial support should be given to the transition to clean energies even if it means subsidies to fossil fuels are reduced;
  • Looking to the future: whether national governments should set targets for renewable energy, and whether they should support energy efficiency.

The report describing the results of the survey is available here and individual Member States factsheets here.

Key results of the survey include:

  • Nearly 75% of EU citizens now see climate change as a very serious problem
  • 43% consider climate change to be among the most serious problems facing the world. Respondents rank climate change as the third most serious global problem, after poverty, hunger and lack of drinking water (first) and international terrorism (second).

  • Almost eight in ten EU citizens (79%) – and a substantial majority in all Member States – believe that fighting climate change and using energy more efficiently can boost the economy and create jobs.
  • Roughly half of respondents say they personally take action against climate change (49%), yet when given specific examples this share rises to nine in ten (90%). The most common action is reducing waste and regularly separating it for recycling, done by over seven in ten (71%).

The EU has set itself targets for 2030, on top of targets for 2020, under a wider 2030 climate and energy package which sets three key objectives: at least a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels); at least a 27% share for renewable energy; and at least a 27% improvement in energy efficiency. The European Commission has also issued a ‘roadmap’ for further EU emissions cuts by 2050. Furthermore, the EU is on track to meet the targets under its 2020 climate and energy package: a 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels); 20% of EU energy from renewables; and a 20% improvement in energy efficiency.

Europe 2020 strategy climate change & energy indicators, EU28

 

Europe 2020 strategy climate change & energy indicators, EU28

Past situation 2008 2015 2020 target
Greenhouse gas emissions*
(index 1990=100)

* Total emissions, including international aviation, but excluding emissions from land use, land use change and forestry.

90.31 77.88 80
Share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption (%) 11.0 16.7 20
Primary energy consumption
(Million tonnes of oil equivalent)
1,692.4 1,529.6 1,483
Final energy consumption
(Million tonnes of oil equivalent)
1,179.7 1,082.2 1,086

Source: Eurostat

For more information about the impact of climate change in mountain areas, please find the proceedings of the X° European Mountain Convention (2016) on the theme of “Mountains’ vulnerability to climate change: how can people and territories adapt and mitigate its effects?” here.

Share
30 September 2017

Euromontana sur Facebook

3 hours ago

Euromontana
We were today at the European Committee of the Regions too meet with regional policymakers from the Carpathians ⛰🤝 Thank you to Witold Kozłowski from the Małopolska region - also a new member of our Board of Directors - for our discussions!𝗪𝘀𝗽𝗼́𝗹𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗠𝗮ł𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘀𝗸𝗶 𝗶 𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗶 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗻𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗿. 👍Obecność wicemarszałka Witold Kozłowski w Brukseli podczas 163. Sesji Plenarnej Europejskiego Komitetu Regionów dała okazję do spotkania z dyrektorem Europejskiego Stowarzyszenia Obszarów Górskich Euromontana Guillaume Corradino. | Więcej 👇 ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 day ago

Euromontana
One month since the #mountainconvention2024 in Puigcerdà! 🏔️ What future for #mountaineconomies? Find all the key insights in the event report! 📝🙏 Thank you to all stakeholders who shared their ideas, projects and recommendations for a brighter future in the mountains!Report 🔗 www.euromontana.org/outcomes ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

3 days ago

Euromontana
Explore the new guide on ‘rural proofing for the evaluation of the rural perspective in laws, policies, plans and strategies’: bit.ly/3O995FiPublished by the Red Española de Desarrollo Rural (REDR), it intends to support authorities in incorporating a rural angle when designing, implementing, and reviewing policies and regulations.Find more information here: bit.ly/4ev41FK #RuralPact #RuralVisionEUELARD aisbl EESC - European Economic and Social Committee European Rural Development Network ODRAZ-Održivi razvoj zajednice Prepare AISBL Luonnonvarakeskus Smeunited Euromontana Diesis Network Wallonie.be ECOLISE EU CAP Network Netzwerk Zukunftsraum Land Vlaams Ruraal Netwerk Réseau wallon PAC Ruralni razvoj RH Ministerstvo zemědělství Netwerk Platteland / Netherlands Rural Network Maaeluvõrgustik Maaseutu - Tilaa elämälle Réseau national Agricultures et Ruralités 2023 - 2027 Deutsche Vernetzungsstelle Ländliche Räume Εθνικό Αγροτικό Δίκτυο - Greek National Rural Network Magyar Nemzeti Vidéki Hálózat CAP Network Ireland Rete Rurale Nazionale Lauku tīkls Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation et de la Viticulture Fondi.eu Krajowa Sieć Obszarów Wiejskich+ Rede Rural Nacional Rețeaua Rurală Națională - RRN Mreža za podeželje ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

2 weeks ago

Euromontana
Today, members of the Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) meet online to discuss: • The forthcoming RPCG Declaration on the future of EU rural policy, which addresses the open questions in the @European Commission’s ‘key achievements and ways forward’ report;• RPCG members’ position papers on the future of Europe’s rural areas;• RPCG members’ role in the Rural Pact Conference of April 2025;• Members’ actions to date & the Rural Pact Support Office 2025 work programme.More information at: bit.ly/4fwtjnS#RuralPact #RuralVisionEU ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

Euromontana sur Twitter