"Since climate change is already associated with the concept of environment in general, it is not surprising that it ranks as a top concern among Europeans, with an absolute majority (57%) mentioning it among their top five [global] environmental concerns," states the latest Eurobarometer survey 'Attitudes of European citizens towards the environment'.
The survey, conducted by TNS between November and December 2007, shows that the majority of respondents consider pollution in towns and cities to be a key local environmental concern, followed, once again, by climate change.
67% of respondents said they would like to see more EU-level action in the environmental field, while only 28% said action should be taken at national level, leading the Commission to conclude that an "overwhelming majority of Europeans see harmonised European environmental legislation as necessary, and believe that the EU should help other countries improve their environmental standards," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said in a press statement.
But Europeans were less enthusiastic about EU-level action to tame soaring food prices, which topped the list of citizens' concerns, according to a separate Eurobarometer survey entitled 'Europeans, Agriculture and the Common Agricultural Policy'.
While the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is performing 'rather well' in terms of putting sufficient supplies of food on the market, citizens punished the CAP for not keeping the cost of food at a reasonable level.
By contrast, Europeans appear generally satisfied with the CAP's role in ensuring the health and safety of foodstuffs, the second most important issue for citizens following food prices.
75% of the Europeans surveyed also said they would be 'ready to buy' more expensive 'green' goods, but a mere 17% actually did so in the month preceding the survey, according to Eurobarometer.
"The largest share [of respondents], nearly 60%, says they are willing to switch to green consumption but have not crossed the threshold between intention and action," it said.
