Pollution, resource depletion, climate change and biodiversity loss are significant environmental issues according to EU citizens. Most feel not enough is being done to address these problems by governments, companies, or individuals. While many citizens make efforts to live more sustainably through actions like recycling, most believe major polluters must face stricter regulations and penalties to change their practices. Scientists and environmental groups are the most trusted sources on these issues, far more than governments and businesses. Overall, EU residents express concern over the state of the environment and support more protective policies, though opinions differ somewhat between countries.

1. Environment
and climate change
Pollution, resource depletion, climate change and biodiversity are just some of
the environmental issues that concern us. Research by TNS Opinion and Social
shows that we, the citizens of the European Union, feel that more should be
done: by Government, the EU, industry – and by ourselves.
We want to make a difference. Two thirds of us recycle, and we have also cut
down on consumption of energy and water. Three out of four of us would pay a
little more to buy environmentally friendly products.
We feel that polluters should take responsibility for their actions and we would
like this backed up with stricter legislation and fines for offenders – 81% believe
that European legislation is necessary to protect the environment in their own
country.
Scientists and environmental agencies such as Greenpeace top our trust list on
environmental issues. In contrast, only 7% trust national and local government
and just 2% say they trust companies. Our cynicism extends to products
claiming green credentials. Half of us do not believe that labels tell us whether a
product is genuinely environmentally friendly or not.
Despite our concerns and desire for action we are optimistic about our ability to
become more efficient at using energy in the future. follow us on
Environment and Climate Change
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2. Close to our heart
We care about the environment. we want to do our bit and there is a
Infact, 95% say that the environment strong belief that individuals can play
is ‘important to me personally’, a their part. However, there is also a
consensus that runs across countries, strong view that the big polluters are
age and occupation. It is not a distant industry and corporations, and that
concept; three-quarters of us say that they should take responsibility for
environmental problems impact upon their actions.
our daily life. Perhaps because of this,
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3. Issues of concern
Man-made disasters and pollution fourth place at 34%, equal to
top the list of concerns. However, chemicals in products - a drop of 20
the environment is not a single- percentage points since the 2007
topic issue: people are worried about survey.
air pollution, effects on our health of It may be that recent coverage of
chemicals in products, genetically the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and
modified foods, loss of biodiversity Fukushima has pushed climate
and more. Climate change is in change down the agenda.
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4. Not enough is being done
Man-made disasters and pollution fourth place at 34%, equal to
top the list of concerns. However, chemicals in products - a drop of 20
the environment is not a single- percentage points since the 2007
topic issue: people are worried about survey.
air pollution, effects on our health of It may be that recent coverage of
chemicals in products, genetically the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and
modified foods, loss of biodiversity Fukushima has pushed climate
and more. Climate change is in change down the agenda.
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5. We want the EU to take the lead
Man-made disasters and pollution fourth place at 34%, equal to
top the list of concerns. However, chemicals in products - a drop of 20
the environment is not a single- percentage points since the 2007
topic issue: people are worried about survey.
air pollution, effects on our health of It may be that recent coverage of
chemicals in products, genetically the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and
modified foods, loss of biodiversity Fukushima has pushed climate
and more. Climate change is in change down the agenda.
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6. Citizen power
Citizens are willing to help the four buys locally produced products
environment personally: only 6% for environmental reasons. Even the
claim to do nothing. Recycling is the car is being used less. There is
most popular activity but people are momentum behind consumers’
also active in reducing water and preparedness to do their
energy consumption and are cutting bit; activity scores increased for
back on their use of disposable items nearly every measure.
such as plastic bags. One person in
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7. Older people do more
Although it is young people who are
often most vocal about the
environment, it is older people who
are more likely to take action.
Perhaps older people have more
time, or a greater sense of civic
duty. Generally, Eastern and
Southern Europe recycle less.
Country figures, however, reflect
facilities and recycling demands
placed on citizens. Bulgarians, for
example, recycle the least but are
amongst the countries most
concerned about the effect of the
environment on their daily life.
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8. The cost of good citizenship
The majority of us (58%) would like score more highly on ‘agree to pay
local authorities to favour more’ but the correlation is not
environmental considerations over proportionate. For example, 65% of
cost issues: twice as many as would Romanians would be prepared to pay
prioritise cost over the environment. a little more for environmentally
Even more (72%) are ‘prepared to friendly products, not far behind
pay a little more’ for environmentally France at 72%, despite the huge gulf
friendly products. Affluent countries in personal income.
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9. Willing to pay, but…
Willingness to pay more for the cost or size of our car to protect
environmentally friendly products the environment is a priority for only
enjoys broad support – it holds true 15% of us and a tiny 2% list
even for the unemployed. But ‘paying more taxes’ in their top 3
there are limits. Compromising on priorities.
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10. We want an enforcement regime
Our preparedness to do our bit as However, it is not all stick. Tax
citizens is balanced by the view that breaks and incentives for good
offenders should be fined more behaviour are popular as is providing
heavily and that there should more information. However, the idea
be stricter legislation and better of taxing environmentally damaging
enforcement of existing regulations. activities is relatively unwelcome.
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11. Well informed
Most of us (60%) believe ourselves significant scientific content such as
to be well informed about the effect of chemicals in everyday
environmental issues. products. TV and newspapers
Television news is our main source of are doing a good job reporting on
information on the environment events in the news but it is a
although newspapers also score well. selective edit that leaves many of us
Despite our confidence overall, many under-informed on important but
feel they lack information about less topical issues.
specific issues; often topics with
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12. Scientists are most trusted
When it comes to the environment Most endorsed are scientists (40%)
we are deeply distrusting of national and environmental protection
and local Government. Both score agencies (37%) such as Greenpeace.
7%. We are cynical about politicians: Television and consumer
even ‘Green’ political parties lack organisations fare well while the UN
credibility. Companies fare worse; scores a low 15% on trust.
trusted by only 3% of EU citizens.
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13. No consensus on trust
Looking beneath the EU averages are completely distrusted in Sweden
reveals interesting differences in the and, whilst 14% of the Irish trust
experience – or character – of national government, the figure for
individual countries. Just 2% of Spain is just 2%.
Germans, for example, trust the EU
on environmental issues. Companies
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14. Cynical about ‘green labels’
Given our very low trust of are disposed to be distrustful of
companies on environmental issues, companies’ claims to be friends
it is unsurprising that less than half of the environment. Are we
of consumers believe green labelling becoming more cynical? It would
allows us to identify products that seem so: over a four year period the
are genuinely environmentally sceptics rose from 42% to 48%.
friendly. It is clear that consumers
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15. Optimism flourishes
We are confident in our ability to energy more efficiently generally and
harness technology to create a more will be filling our cars with a more
energy efficient future. We believe efficient alternative to petrol and
that by 2050 we will be using more diesel. The human spirit brims with
renewable energy, consuming optimism.
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16. How TNS can help
For most businesses today, their stance on the environment is a significant
part of their reputation. For some, it is a very important factor.
As the world’s leading custom research company, TNS is trusted by major
public and private sector organisations to carry out large-scale research
projects, such as the Eurobarometer studies for the European Commission
discussed in this booklet.
With market-leading expertise in brand research, behaviour change, and
stakeholder management, TNS can bring this range and capacity to bear by
designing a research programme for your business.
To discuss how TNS can help contact
Gabriella Bergaglio
Marketing Manager
d + 39 (0)2 27 07 2299
gabriella.bergaglio@tnsglobal.com
Source: Eurobarometer research - the research was conducted by TNS
Opinion and Social. Findings based on Special Eurobarometer 365 and Special
Eurobarometer 372.
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