Europeans Continue to Feel Directly Affected by Environmental Issues and Policy

Europeans continue to express significant concerns about environmental issues, which they perceive as directly impacting their daily lives and health, according to a new Eurobarometer survey on ‘Attitudes of Europeans towards the environment’ published today. The survey indicates a steady trend in environmental awareness and the perceived necessity for EU environmental legislation.

High Levels of Concern Among Europeans

More than three-quarters of Europeans (78%) report that environmental issues directly affect their daily life and health. Additionally, a substantial majority (84%) agree that EU environmental legislation is essential for protecting the environment in their respective countries. These figures are consistent with the previous survey conducted in 2019, underlining the ongoing relevance of EU environmental policies.

Pollution Costs and Accountability

There is a strong consensus among Europeans regarding the financial responsibility for pollution. An overwhelming 92% believe that companies should bear the costs of cleaning up their pollution, while 74% think that public authorities should also contribute to these expenses. This indicates a clear demand for accountability from both private and public sectors in addressing pollution.

Water Pollution and Scarcity

Concerns about water pollution and scarcity are prevalent, with 78% of respondents supporting additional EU measures to tackle these issues. Pollution and overconsumption/wastage of water are identified as the primary national threats related to water. In drought-prone countries like Spain, Cyprus, and Malta, droughts are seen as the most significant threat. Many respondents believe that key sectors such as industry, energy production, tourism, and agriculture are not doing enough to use water efficiently.

Support for Circular Economy and Nature Restoration

Promoting the circular economy is viewed as the most effective strategy for addressing environmental problems in 11 Member States, closely followed by efforts to restore nature. Nearly six in ten respondents are willing to pay more for sustainable products that are easier to repair, recyclable, and produced sustainably. This reflects a growing readiness among Europeans to adopt more sustainable consumer behaviors.

As part of embracing a circular economy, citizens support measures to reduce waste by sorting their waste correctly for recycling and using reusable packaging. Almost half of the respondents would prefer to buy products with minimal packaging, and over 40% favor products in recycled packages. At the EU level, plastic and chemical waste are identified as the most problematic, cited by 35% and 34% of respondents, respectively.

Awareness of Harmful Chemicals

The survey reveals widespread concern about the impact of harmful chemicals on health and the environment. More than four in five respondents (84%) are worried about the presence of harmful chemicals in everyday products, a concern that has remained steady since 2019. The chemical safety of products influences the purchasing decisions of 72% of Europeans.

While 29% of Europeans are aware of PFAS (also known as ‘forever chemicals’), the majority (71%) are not. However, once informed about PFAS, 81% express concern about their potential health impacts, and 84% are worried about their environmental effects. More than half of the respondents believe that EU protection from hazardous chemicals is insufficient and should be increased.

Commissioner’s Statement and Survey Background

Commenting on the survey results, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius stated: “The results of this survey confirm the importance that green policies play in Europeans’ daily lives. I am encouraged to see this strong support for actions ranging from circular economy developments to nature restoration, at the heart of the European Green Deal. It is also clear that citizens think there is still more work to do to protect the environment, especially in areas such as chemical safety and water resilience.”

The survey was released during the annual EU Green Week conference “Towards a water resilient Europe,” held in Brussels on May 29-30. During the conference, the Commission will launch a campaign to promote an EU-wide dialogue on increasing water-related challenges and potential solutions.

The survey, conducted from March 6 to April 8, 2024, involved 26,346 respondents from diverse social and demographic backgrounds across the 27 EU Member States. Interviews were conducted face-to-face or via video link in respondents’ native languages. This Special Eurobarometer survey follows up on a similar survey conducted in December 2019, tracking changes in public opinion on environmental issues.