Climate conference: Majority of Germans see industry and the economy obliged to reduce CO2 emissions

Who must take responsibility for climate protection? Citizens, business or politics? The majority of Europeans say: every citizen should and can do something for himself. But the majority of the self-proclaimed 'climate protection world champions' in Germany see responsibility in politics and business. This is the result of a representative survey conducted by the market research institute puls on behalf of E.ON in the run-up to the climate conference COP24 in Katowice.

Europeans rely on their own initiative

Europeans see it as their duty to combat climate-damaging greenhouse gases. Of the 7,200 people surveyed from Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic and Hungary, 42.3 percent believe that each individual bears the greatest responsibility. More than a third see the economy and industry as driving forces in the reduction of CO₂ (34.6 percent), followed by politics (23.1 percent). 'Climate change is one of the greatest challenges for our society. Every individual can reduce his CO₂ emissions through his individual behavior - be it by switching to green electricity, purchasing an electric car or more energy efficiency at home. We help our customers with the right products and services to put their own standards into practice,' says E.ON Board Member Karsten Wildberger, commenting on the results.

Germans make business and industry responsible

While the European neighbors mainly relied on their own responsibility, 42.5 percent of Germans see the greatest responsibility in business and industry. Together, industry and commerce in Germany actually consume the majority of energy. Although companies have invested heavily in their energy efficiency in recent years, there is still untapped potential. Wildberger: 'Practical examples show that CO₂-free production or the supply of purely regenerative energies is already possible today. As a company, we are called upon to convince our customers of such solutions.'