Need to take into account citizens’ wishes and concerns for climate action in transport – acatech

An increasing number of Germans say they have major worries about climate change (61 percent in 2019 compared to 37 percent in 2017) and many are calling for action in the transport sector, according to a representative survey on climate and mobility commissioned by the National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech). Respondents see the biggest mobility issues in traffic jams, full inner cities, air pollution and noise; climate is further down on the list. 46 percent say that mobility has to change fundamentally to solve these problems, while 43 percent say that corrections in certain areas are sufficient. Only a quarter of respondents believe that action in the mobility sector can have a significant impact on climate change. “The results show how important it is to develop suitable mobility concepts for the different conditions in urban and rural areas and to take into account the wishes and concerns of citizens even more strongly in the planning of mobility in the future,” said acatech Vice President Thomas Weber in a press release.

Several surveys have shown that Germans see a great need for climate action and climate change has received record public attention in Germany over recent weeks. Pollsters say the increased focus on climate was down to last year’s drought and the Fridays For Future climate protests as well other concerns, such as the economic situation, becoming less pressing.