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Determinants of the EU Citizens’ Attitudes towards the European Energy Union Priorities

Author

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  • Agnieszka Janik

    (Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Adam Ryszko

    (Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Marek Szafraniec

    (Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland)

Abstract

The European Union has adopted very ambitious climate and energy goals for the coming years. The key prerequisite to successfully achieve these goals seems to be extensive support and adequate commitment of the member states and their citizens to the implementation of the clean energy transition and climate neutrality measures. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive analysis aiming to identify the factors determining the EU citizens’ attitudes towards the European Energy Union priorities. The analysis was based on representative data obtained from residents of twenty-seven EU countries using a Eurobarometer survey. The collected data were subjected to a comparative analysis and binary logistic regression. The research results demonstrated that the support for specific energy policy priorities varies significantly depending on different perceptions of the EU citizens and was affected by a number of demographic variables. It was indicated that perceiving the environment, climate and energy as the most important issues from the perspective of an individual, a country and the EU significantly affects attitudes towards energy policy priorities. However, this mostly concerned the awareness of the importance of these issues at the EU level. Individuals who supported a common energy policy among the EU member states were more likely to point to green energy priorities, whereas guaranteeing low energy prices for companies and consumers seemed less important for them. It was remarkable that the reduction of energy consumption was indicated as an energy policy priority by respondents expecting both more and less decision-making at the European level in the field of environmental protection. People with a right-wing orientation were the most likely to support the competitiveness of the EU’s industry, while individuals with a leftist ideology showed the strongest tendency to opt for environmental protection. Furthermore, gender, occupation and the place and country of residence emerged as very important determinants of attitudes towards the European Energy Union priorities, whereas age and the educational level were predictors in very few cases only.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Janik & Adam Ryszko & Marek Szafraniec, 2021. "Determinants of the EU Citizens’ Attitudes towards the European Energy Union Priorities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-32, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:17:p:5237-:d:620809
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    2. Carroll, P. & Singh, B. & Mangina, E., 2024. "Uncovering gender dimensions in energy policy using Natural Language Processing," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. Paula Carroll, 2022. "Gender Mainstreaming the European Union Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Jonek-Kowalska, Izabela, 2022. "Towards the reduction of CO2 emissions. Paths of pro-ecological transformation of energy mixes in European countries with an above-average share of coal in energy consumption," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    5. Willems, Bert & Pollitt, Michael & von der Fehr, Nils-Henrik & Banet, Catherine, 2022. "The European Wholesale Electricty Market: From Crisis to Net Zero," Other publications TiSEM 2f225964-853e-4d30-a46d-0, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    6. Panarello, Demetrio & Gatto, Andrea, 2023. "Decarbonising Europe – EU citizens’ perception of renewable energy transition amidst the European Green Deal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).

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