Nearly 8 out of 10 Belgians say they are concerned about climate change, but underestimate their role

Compared to these three sectors, the Belgian finds that households have only a limited impact on climate change, and that they only have to make a modest effort in the fight against these changes.

However, we note that the impact attributed to households and personal transport has decreased compared to previous editions, as well as with regard to the efforts they must make.

The climate emergency

79% of Belgians believe that climate change are issues that need to be tackled urgently, only 5% do not share this opinion.

And if they think it’s urgent, a large to very large majority of respondents think that we are the main cause and therefore we can do something about it. Moreover, more of them believe that the effects of climate change are also being felt in Belgium, no doubt a consequence of the terrible floods last summer.

Finally, in general, there has been a slight improvement in knowledge in this area.

Behavior in the face of climate change

If Belgians demonstrate behavior that respects the environment in terms of household chores (for example, sorting waste or saving water), their accommodation and their purchases, they do not consider not to go further, even if he claims to want to improve certain things (installation of a heat pump for heating or the intention to use green energy and solar energy, for example).

Regarding travel, on the other hand, the results are less positive. The car remains by far (72%) the main means of transport, especially in rural areas.

Public transport remains the least popular: 23% borrow at least the metro, tram or bus regularly; and 15%, only, the train.

As for bicycles and scooters, if they are mainly used in Flanders and Brussels to go to work. This is far from being the case in Wallonia where they are mainly used for leisure purposes.

Government efforts

While one in four respondents acknowledges that they are not taking enough initiatives to fight global warming, just under half (47%) are not really satisfied or not satisfied at all government actions To fight against climate change.

On the other hand, more than a third of them are opposed to measures having a direct financial impact: the tax on CO emissions2 and kilometer tax.

And when it comes to banning the sale of new combustion engine vehicles, a majority (53%) opposes it.

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