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94% of Irish People Say Protecting the Environment is Important to Them
- 15 September 2014
Three years on from the most recent similar Eurobarometer survey, it is clear that, despite the economic crisis, Europeans' concern about the environment has not diminished. In an overwhelming consensus, 95 % of the 28,000 interviewed citizens said that protecting the environment is important to them personally and many think more can be done.
In Ireland 96% of respondents believe that they personally have a role to play in protecting the environment compared to the EU average of 85%. The biggest environmental worry for Irish people (57%) is water pollution, with the growing amount of waste (53%) and air pollution (47%) also concerns.
When asked about what environmental actions they had taken during the previous month:
- 84% of Irish respondents (4th highest in the EU) and 72% of EU respondents said that they separated most of their waste for recycling;
- 52% of Irish and EU respondents had cut their energy consumption for environmental reasons;
- 37% of Irish and EU respondents had reduced their water consumption;
- 27% of Irish and 35% of EU respondents had chosen a more environmentally friendly way of transport;
- 37% of Irish and 35% of EU respondents had chosen local products;
- 42% of Irish and 33% of EU respondents had reduced waste by avoiding over-packaged products and buying products with a longer shelf life;
- 27% of Irish and 21% of EU respondents had bought environmentally friendly products marked with an environmental label and
- 18% of Irish and 20% of EU respondents had used their car less.
Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said: "It is good to see such solid and widespread support for the protection of the environment, even in difficult times. People are particularly concerned about air and water pollution, chemicals and waste, and they feel that more must be done by everyone to protect the environment."
A strong majority of people in the EU share the view that the efficient use of natural resources (79 %) and the protection of the environment (74 %) can boost economic growth. The figures are higher among Irish respondents. 87% agree that the efficient use of natural resources can boost economic growth and 83% agree that the protection of the environment can make a difference.
Download EUROBAROMETER Attitudes towards the environment FACTSHEET IRELAND [pdf,2.1MB]
View EU Press release Almost all Europeans say protecting the environment is important to them
Special Eurobarometer 416 Report ATTITUDES OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT [pdf,8.28MB}
