Green Divides: Findings from Large-Scale Comparative Surveys on the Impact of Individual- and Country-Level Factors on Public Attitudes Toward Energy Transition in Europe

The aim of this presentation is to examine the factors influencing public opinion regarding the transformation of Europe's energy systems in order to achieve the European Green Deal's objective of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Notwithstanding the potential advantages of renewable energy, public opinion demonstrates obstacles at both the individual and national levels. These obstacles can be attributed to discrepancies in national economics and anxieties regarding the ramifications of the energy transition on labour markets, energy prices, and security concerns.

To facilitate a comparative analysis, a cumulative data set with variables associated with attitudes towards energy transition was produced by integrating data from over 1,700 national surveys encompassing 57 waves of the Standard, Special, and Flash Barometers (2001-2023). Furthermore, a country-level data set was constructed to ascertain whether public opinion is dependent on contextual factors. This data set comprised variables on energy mix, energy consumption, access to energy, and economic indicators.

The findings of our analysis indicate that public attitudes towards a just energy transition are shaped by a combination of individual-level and country-level factors. Individuals with progressive left-wing political orientations, higher household incomes, and greater educational attainment are more likely to demonstrate support for energy transformation. However, significant regional disparities emerge across Europe, largely as a consequence of divergences in the energy mix. In regions that are heavily reliant on fossil fuels, such as parts of Central and Eastern Europe, the impact of political orientation, income, and education on support is less pronounced, and country-level energy-related factors gains in power. Conversely, in regions with a higher proportion of renewable energy sources, such as Northern and Western Europe, the greater proportion of energy from renewables amplifies the supportive effect of individual factors on public attitudes.