EU citizens on climate measures: support for subsidies, opposition to taxes

After a summer marked by multiple heatwaves exacerbated by climate change, a new study shows that many EU citizens are willing to support various forms of climate policy. Investments in and subsidies for train travel and home insulation receive particularly high levels of support, while taxes on polluting behaviors such as flying or meat consumption are less popular.

According to the study, part of the EU-funded CAPABLE project, 70% of respondents would support an EU railway fund, and 55% back mandatory home insulation combined with subsidies for low-income households and a ban on private flights. In contrast, a majority oppose higher taxes on beef (61%), airline tickets (51%), or a full ban on the sale of new fossil-fuel cars (56%).

There are clear differences between countries: Southern European nations generally show more support than Eastern European ones. Across all participating countries, women, younger people, and those with higher education levels tend to be more supportive of climate policies.

Researchers from the Environmental Psychology group at the University of Groningen (RUG), together with colleagues from ETH Zurich, coordinated the collection of the survey data, which are now available through an online tool. This tool allows policymakers to compare opinions across countries and policy options, helping to develop climate measures that enjoy broad public support.

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