Renewable energy gains the confidence of Europeans…an opinion poll reveals 87% support for the green transition

High fuel prices and supply security concerns are prompting Europeans to reconsider their energy future, after a recent poll revealed that a majority of European Union citizens support accelerating the transition to… Renewable energyEven with the continuing economic and political pressures facing the continent's governments.

The results of a survey he conducted showed European Investment Bank75% of citizens consider moving away from fossil fuels an urgent matter, while 87% demand that priority be given to low-carbon energy sources.

The survey included 23,000 people in the twenty-seven member states of the European Union, which was conducted days before the start of the climate conference COP31 In Türkiye, revealing a remarkable paradox: Europeans want cleaner energy as quickly as possible, but more than half of them prefer to develop the technology necessary to produce it within Europe, even if it takes longer.

Fuel prices support renewable energy

Geopolitical turmoil has brought the issue of energy security back to the forefront of European concerns, especially with the impact of the US war with Iran on global fossil fuel prices.

The European Union depends on oil and gas imports to meet some of its needs, which makes its economy and consumers vulnerable to international market fluctuations and supply disruptions.

In these circumstances, I became… Renewable energy For many citizens, it is a choice linked to reducing dependence on imported fuel, in addition to its role in confronting climate change.

Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank Group, said that switching to clean energy represents an appropriate response to protecting the planet, and an economic option that helps reduce energy costs for companies and households.

This vision gains importance at a time when European governments face pressures related to wars, popular protests, and limited financial resources, while international positions vary regarding the speed of moving away from oil and gas.

And I ate The Earth Guards Foundation In a previous report Clean energy transition efforts in EuropeThis provides a broader background for understanding European efforts to diversify energy sources and enhance sustainability.

The sun is ahead of wind and nuclear power

Details of the survey reveal a clear disparity in citizens’ preferences for low-emission energy sources. 52% of respondents chose solar energy as a resource they should focus on, compared to 37% for wind energy and 19% for nuclear energy.

These results place solar energy at the forefront of the mentioned options, an indication of its standing among participants when thinking about the future of European supplies.

The percentage of citizens demanding that low-carbon energy be given priority has also increased to 87% during 2026, compared to approx %82 In a survey conducted by the bank in 2022, during an energy crisis associated with the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This rise indicates continued popular support for the energy transition despite changing political and economic conditions over the past four years.

Also, support for low-carbon energy sources includes technologies that vary in characteristics and costs, making investment decisions linked to considerations that go beyond the level of public support alone.

Europe wants clean technology on its terms

Behind the broad support for the energy transition lies a more complex industrial equation: How can Europe accelerate the deployment of clean technologies, while at the same time reducing its dependence on industries outside its borders?

The survey showed that 55% of participants favor the development of European clean technology, even if this leads to a delay in their arrival, rather than relying on imported solutions that are available faster.

This finding is important in light of China's progress in the solar, wind, and battery industries, technologies that play a pivotal role in the global transition away from fossil fuels.

This preference reflects an interest in developing local industrial capabilities, along with a desire to provide low-emission energy sources.

But building a strong European industry requires investment, infrastructure and technological expertise, and requires balancing the time needed to develop products locally with the need to deploy clean solutions at a rapid pace.

And so it becomes an issue Renewable energy It is linked to the future of industry, trade and competitiveness, as much as it is linked to reducing emissions.

Does climate protection start with your energy bill?

Climate debates have traditionally focused on emissions and rising temperatures, but the survey results pose a more everyday question: What if the energy bill became one of the most prominent drivers that encourage citizens to demand a faster transition to clean sources?

The current crisis reveals that economic and environmental issues can converge at one point. A citizen who seeks stability in electricity and heating prices may find a direct interest in diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on imported fuel.

From this angle, you gain Target 7.1 of Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, on clean and affordable energy, of particular importance; It calls for ensuring universal access to modern, reliable and affordable energy services.

And you complete it Target 7.2 Which calls for increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, so that the two goals combine providing energy to people and developing its production sources.

Translating these ambitions into more stable prices remains dependent on investment costs, network development, market policies, and the ability of countries to manage the transition fairly and effectively.

European finance faces a test of independence

In parallel with the change in citizens’ attitudes, the European Investment Bank intensified its support for the energy sector. Its annual funding for this sector has doubled since 2022, reaching 33 One billion euros during 2025.

During the same year, the bank signed new financing agreements and provided advisory services for a total amount of 100 billion euros, included more than 870 projects In multiple fields.

These numbers illustrate the size of the role that finance can play in developing infrastructure and technology, while the results of the survey highlight the importance of aligning investment policies with the needs and aspirations of citizens.

The eighth climate survey, organized by the European Investment Bank, was conducted in cooperation with… Ipsos Foundation Ipsos, during the period from August 3 to 25, 2026, with results statistically weighted to represent the population of each participating country. For the first time since the survey began, respondents were asked whether they saw the transition away from fossil fuels as urgent.

And before a conference COP31The results provided an indication of the extent of popular support for the shift towards clean energy sources, but they present policymakers with a challenge that combines speed of implementation, price stability, and industrial capacity building.

In this intersection between human needs and the future of the environment, the importance of the vision it adopts becomes clear The Earth Guards Foundation In linking sustainable development with knowledge and practical solutions that enhance the quality of life and conserve resources.

Europeans are demanding cleaner energy that is safer from market fluctuations, while the challenge for their governments remains to transform this popular support into investments, technologies and services that achieve both economic and environmental benefits..