Although a majority of Europeans see the transition as “an opportunity to improve their quality of life and create jobs”, they nevertheless remain worried about the consequences for the future of their purchasing power.
European citizens expect the ecological transition to create jobs but penalize their purchasing power, according to a study* published on Tuesday March 22 by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
56% of 27 EU member states’ nationals believe that policies to combat climate changes will create more jobs than they devastate, while 61% think they will increase their quality of living.
This optimism is mainly found in countries of the West Continent where 60% of citizens expect a positive effect of the ecological transition on their job market. In Denmark, 68% of respondents anticipate a positive outcome, while in Portugal, 68% and 65% respectively.
55% of EU East respondents think that the change will result in fewer jobs. 66% of Slovaks agree, and 64% are from Latvia. Comparatively, six in ten Americans and Chinese citizens expect a positive impact of eco-transition policies on the employment market.
One in four Europeans fears losing their job if they become unemployed. « incompatible »Climate change. There is more anxiety in Spain, Italy (34%) and Malta (12%) than in Luxembourg (9%) et Malta (12).
However, the Europeans remain relatively less anxious than the Chinese who would be 45% more worried about the future of their jobs or than the Americans (32%).
62% fear that the purchasing power will fall as a result of the ecological transition. French citizens are even more pessimistic (72%), as are the citizens of the three Baltic states (from 73% to 76% respondents) who anticipate a decline in their purchasing power. The Union’s majority of respondents (60%) believe that the ecological transition will boost their purchasing power.
* The study was conducted by the EIB and BVA between August 26 and September 22, 2021 with a panel of 30,662 people over the age of 15, representative in each of the 30 countries concerned (the 27 of the EU plus USA, China and UK). An online questionnaire was used to collect responses.