Europeans Call For Urgent Action On Climate Change

To address increasing public concern and demands for action on climate change, an 85% majority of European citizens have expressed in a recent Eurobarometer public opinion survey that combating climate change must be made a top priority. That strong public demand is consistent with an unequivocal call for rapid action to address the climate emergency, promote sustainability and health, and secure a safe and secure future for future generations.

The findings of the survey reinforce the view that climate change is not only an environmental threat, but also a threat to everyday life. A whopping 85% see it as a significant threat, and 81% back the European Union's ambitious target of being climate neutral by 2050. It is not something the majority hopes for, but something they need to have. Throughout Europe, individuals understand that the price of doing nothing is much higher than the cost of transitioning to a net-zero economy. Indeed, 77% of respondents to the survey agreed that climate change would do significantly more economic harm than the cost of undertaking necessary measures to lower emissions.

Perhaps the most compelling section of the survey is the degree to which Europeans are already experiencing global warming. Close to four in ten, or 38%, indicated that they themselves were personally threatened by environmental and climatic risks. Southern European nations, as well as countries such as Poland and Hungary, have particularly high indices of vulnerability since citizens are being exposed increasingly to heatwaves, wildland fires, floods, and weather extremes.

The research also gives a deafening degree of backing to the complete makeover of the EU's energy systems. A staggering 88% of Europeans expect the bloc to do more to increase the use of renewable energy and enhance energy efficiency. Both of these pillars of climate action are regarded as necessary in cutting emissions but also as key to making Europe more energy secure and economically resilient. Citizens are similarly interested in making changes within their own homes and communities, including more insulation, solar panels on the roof, and electric car use. Similarly, an 88% share was against such household-level improvements, which shows the willingness to help out individually towards the overall climate change.

Limiting dependence on imported fossil fuels was also framed as a strategic necessity. Seventy-five percent of respondents believe that it would make Europe's energy security more solid and economically worthwhile to lower fossil fuel imports, something that rings loudly in the midst of geopolitical crises and energy market upsets.

The survey also demonstrates a wide public agreement about who is best equipped to drive the change. While commitment to personal responsibility is still present, institutions are more trusted than individuals by most respondents. National governments, the European Union institution itself, and business are all regarded as most capable of driving significant change. This movement towards institutional trust indicates that people desire system-level, top-down, policy-backed, infrastructure-financed, investment-driven solutions, rather than changes which depend solely on individual behavior.

The EU's Green Deal, which some have described as idealistic or ambitious, is well rooted in the public's minds. Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera called the relationship between citizens' aspirations and the EU policy agenda. "Europeans are sending a strong signal: they care about the climate, they feel the dangers, and they believe in action," she said. "The Green Deal isn't a distant fantasy — it's a common way forward to healthy lives, to secure energy, and an economy that serves people."

Her comments also reflect a further expectation of citizens: not only that the green transition should be rapid and efficient, but also that it should be equitable and just. Solidarity, dignity, and justice are becoming central values in guiding climate action, particularly as the EU continues to advance with bold policy overhauls in energy, industry, and transport.

The survey also indicates faith in European innovation capacity. 84% of Europeans share the view that European clean tech firms should be given more help to enable them to compete internationally. This is a reflection of the EU's Clean Industrial Deal, which is designed to support competitive, low-carbon industrial presence among member states. 77% of Europeans are also of the opinion that climate action will drive innovation, in keeping with wide public backing for climate-driven R&D.

In short, the Eurobarometer findings make one thing absolutely clear: Europeans are overwhelmingly supportive of climate action, both institutionally and personally. They understand the risks of inaction, agree on ambitious targets, and believe in the long-term benefit of a greener, more sustainable economy. With backing as widespread as this, the European Green Deal and other climate policies' momentum is not simply political—it is fundamentally rooted in public will.