Politics
EU COVID-19 economic recovery measures
European Investment Bank
(Source: © European Investment Bank)
57% say the post-pandemic economic recovery measures must take into account the climate emergency.
70% of Europeans say they are in favour of stricter government measures that would impose individual behaviour changes to address the climate crisis.
The first release of the 2020-2021 EIB Climate Survey reveals European citizens´ attitudes and views on climate change in a rapidly changing world. The third EIB Climate Survey shows how the COVID-19 crisis is influencing citizens´ perception of the climate emergency.
People in China still rank climate change as their top priority, in contrast to citizens in the EU and in the US
The current health crisis has changed citizens´ perception of challenges their country is facing today. In 2019, nearly half of Europeans ranked climate change as the top challenge. This year, however, only 33% name climate change as one of the top three challenges. There are some differences between perceptions in Europe, the United States and China:
In all European countries, the COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest challenge (72%).
For Americans, COVID-19 is also the country´s greatest challenge (73%). Last year, they ranked access to healthcare and health services as their top challenge.
For Chinese people, climate change still ranks as the top challenge (61%), with the pandemic ranked closely behind (59%).
The current health crisis has changed citizens´ perception of challenges their country is facing today. In 2019, nearly half of Europeans ranked climate change as the top challenge. This year, however, only 33% name climate change as one of the top three challenges. There are some differences between perceptions in Europe, the United States and China:
In all European countries, the COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest challenge (72%).
For Americans, COVID-19 is also the country´s greatest challenge (73%). Last year, they ranked access to healthcare and health services as their top challenge.
For Chinese people, climate change still ranks as the top challenge (61%), with the pandemic ranked closely behind (59%).
This focus on the COVID-19 pandemic is seen in all segments of the population. However, climate change remains a greater challenge for younger Europeans than for the population as a whole: among 15-19 year-olds, it is the second most important challenge (40%), cited equally with unemployment.
Europe and China calling for a green recovery
A majority of Europeans (57%) say that the economic recovery must take the climate emergency into account. They say their governments should promote low-carbon and climate-resilient growth. Only 43% say that their governments should use any means to boost the economy in the interest of quick economic growth.
A majority of Chinese citizens (73%) are also in favour of a green recovery.
49% of Americans support a green recovery, while 51% believe their government should use any means to boost the economy in the interest of quick economic growth.
A majority of Europeans (57%) say that the economic recovery must take the climate emergency into account. They say their governments should promote low-carbon and climate-resilient growth. Only 43% say that their governments should use any means to boost the economy in the interest of quick economic growth.
A majority of Chinese citizens (73%) are also in favour of a green recovery.
49% of Americans support a green recovery, while 51% believe their government should use any means to boost the economy in the interest of quick economic growth.
A demand for stricter government measures to change people´s behaviour
2020 has been a year of strong government action, with mandatory masking, lockdowns and travel restrictions to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. 70% of Europeans, 67% of Americans and 95% of Chinese citizens say they would favour similar measures that would impose changes on individual behaviour to tackle climate change.
66% of Europeans think that the European Union is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. This is compares to 90% of Chinese citizens who believe China leads, and 49% of Americans who believe the US does.
2020 has been a year of strong government action, with mandatory masking, lockdowns and travel restrictions to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. 70% of Europeans, 67% of Americans and 95% of Chinese citizens say they would favour similar measures that would impose changes on individual behaviour to tackle climate change.
66% of Europeans think that the European Union is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. This is compares to 90% of Chinese citizens who believe China leads, and 49% of Americans who believe the US does.
Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the EIB, stated: “2020 has been a very difficult year. It is not surprising that the COVID-19 pandemic is now the main concern among citizens. At the same time, people are calling for a green economic recovery. This is a strong signal and a call for action for concerned institutions. The EIB is more than ever committed to addressing this challenge in the years to come.“
more information: https://europa.eu/european-union/index_en
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