Germans strongly support energy transition, call for more ambitious climate action

The support of German citizens for the country’s Energiewende [energy transition] is unwavering, a poll commissioned by the country’s Renewable Energy Agency (AEE) and conducted by pollster Kantar Emnid has shown. According to the AEE, 93 percent of respondents said they are in favour of a faster expansion and greater use of renewable energy sources. Nearly two thirds of respondents said they support a greater renewables expansion even if this meant wind turbines or solar power arrays are built near their homes – with the figure rising even more if respondents already live near a renewable power installation. Nearly 80 percent said they believe a rapid grid expansion is necessary too, but less than one third answered they would welcome a large transmission line in their neighbourhood and 30 percent said they would not tolerate this. Most respondents said the reason they support the Energiewende is either climate protection (81 percent), inter-generational justice (79 percent), energy independence from fossil fuel imports (68 percent) or strengthening Germany’s economic power (59 percent). Over 60 percent answered they would welcome a more ambitious decarbonisation in the energy sector and nearly three quarters said they wish the transport sector did more to reduce carbon emissions.

Read the press release in German here.

For background, read the CLEW factsheet Polls reveal citizens' support for Energiewende.