US citizens more optimistic about economic potential of climate action than Europeans

US citizens are somewhat more optimistic than EU citizens about the economic benefits of measures to combat climate change, according to a survey by online pollster YouGov, commissioned by the European Investment Bank (EIB). 26 percent of US citizens believe climate action can have a positive effect on the economy compared to only 21 percent of Europeans. In China, a mere 11 percent see benefits. In Germany, 14 percent of respondents said climate action would have a positive impact on economic growth and the job market, while 35 percent expect it to be rather negative or very negative. The data is the second in a six-part EIB climate survey, to be released in 2018 and 2019. It also found that Europeans primarily expect financial effects from climate change, while the Chinese focus on health effects. In Germany, only 13 percent expect effects on jobs and work.

Find the press release in English here, a summary of results here and detailed results here.

For background, read the CLEW news item Germans are a little less worried about climate change than other Europeans – EIB survey and the factsheet Polls reveal citizens' support for Energiewende.