Most Europeans Back Climate Action but Priorities Vary by Region

• Nov 23, 2024

Nearly 75% of Europeans acknowledge the need to adapt their lifestyles to tackle climate change, according to the European Investment Bank's (EIB) annual Climate Survey. While climate change ranks as the second-most pressing issue across the EU, just behind the rising cost of living, significant regional differences exist in how citizens prioritize adaptation efforts.

The survey, conducted in August 2024, gathered responses from over 24,000 people across the EU. It revealed that 94% believe adapting to climate change is important, yet only 50% consider it a top national priority. Central and Eastern European countries showed the lowest concern, with just 16% of respondents in Estonia naming climate change as a key issue. By contrast, over 60% of participants in southern European nations like Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain view it as a priority.

The urgency in southern Europe stems from repeated extreme weather events, such as record heatwaves, wildfires, and prolonged droughts. For instance, Spain has experienced devastating wildfires, and in Romania, extreme flooding caused by Storm Boris in September 2024 left seven dead, thousands displaced, and 6,000 homes damaged. Such disasters have heightened public awareness, with more than 70% of respondents in Spain and Romania reporting they’ve endured severe heatwaves in recent years.

In contrast, Central and Eastern Europe prioritize issues like unemployment, political instability, and the cost of living over climate adaptation. Despite severe flooding in Poland in September, which affected nearly two million people and caused 24 deaths, only a minority of Poles view climate adaptation as a priority. EIB vice-president Teresa Czerwińska emphasized the need to frame adaptation as an economic opportunity, pointing out that every €1 invested in prevention can save €5 to €7 in damage repair.

The survey also highlighted a need for better communication about financial support for adaptation. While 71% of respondents felt informed about lifestyle changes to reduce climate risks, 60% were unaware of public subsidies or incentives available to aid these efforts. This gap was most pronounced in Central and Eastern Europe, where adaptation policies remain underdeveloped.

Beyond Europe, 57% of respondents supported aiding vulnerable nations to adapt to climate impacts. Southern Europeans were particularly likely to consider relocation to less vulnerable areas, with 61% of Greeks and around half of Romanians, Bulgarians, and Spaniards open to the idea. As climate-related disasters grow more frequent, the survey underscores the importance of urgent, coordinated action to address both local and global challenges.