Oct 25, 2023 at 4:36 PM Update: an hour ago
Dutch people with different political preferences support tax increases on air travel and new items, new research shows. ‘The polluter pays’ is the basic principle. But the government must invest in affordable alternatives.
This is evident from the results of the National Climate Consultation that was presented to the House of Representatives today. In total, more than 11,500 Dutch people participated in the consultation. Regardless of age, gender or education level, participants believe that polluting behavior should be taxed.
For example, 80 percent of people want the House of Representatives to take measures to discourage climate-damaging behavior. Air travel and new, non-sustainably produced items should be taxed higher. Most also support measures that ban flights shorter than 620 kilometers, such as to Brussels, Paris or London. Such measures could ensure that Dutch people fly 30 percent less.
People consider driving a car and eating meat to be basic needs rather than air travel
Niek Mouter, principal researcher
The majority of participants would rather cut back on air travel than on fuel or meat products. “People consider driving and eating meat to be basic needs rather than air travel,” lead researcher Niek Mouter told NU.nl.
The research shows that people of all political preferences support higher prices, but on the condition that there is a sustainable alternative. Consider, for example, an affordable and fast train connection, or that clothing repairs become cheaper than buying new clothes.
The Dutch do not want to be dependent on energy from abroad
There is also clarity regarding energy policy towards 2050. A majority considers energy independence to be a priority. Participants want 80 percent of the energy used here to also be generated within the national borders. The main reason for this is that the Netherlands should not become dependent on foreign countries.
Wind turbines in the North Sea are a popular energy source in which to invest even more. And to heat homes, participants propose capturing residual heat from industry and the soil.
Opinions are divided about building nuclear power stations: 25 percent do not want nuclear energy and 35 percent want more. The rest is in between. Surprisingly, men are more likely to be in favor of nuclear energy than women. “It is not the first time we have seen that result, we would like to do more research into it,” says Mouter.
Far-reaching climate policy for future generations
The results of this consultation show that there is high support for far-reaching climate policy. According to Niek Mouter, this may be due to the context that participants received from the research. Because they saw explanations and alternatives, well-considered choices were made, according to Mouter.
“If, as a participant, you see that investments are being made in alternatives, you will probably opt for a price increase more quickly than if you are asked point-blank what you actually think there.”
In addition, participants in the consultation were shown that climate policy ensures that future generations have to bear fewer burdens. “That image makes the climate problem tangible,” says Mouter. “If you see that policy delivers something for future generations, you are more likely to understand certain policy choices.”
How does the National Climate Consultation work?
The National Climate Consultation is a population survey conducted by research agency Populytics and TU Delft. A panel was asked about what choices the government must make to be climate neutral by 2050. The extensive online questionnaire asks questions about climate and energy policy. For example, citizens are asked about their opinions on flying or meat consumption, underground storage of CO2 or investing in nuclear energy.
11,582 citizens participated in the consultation, divided into a representative panel and an open consultation. The results have been placed side by side and compared. The initiative for the consultation comes from the House of Representatives, which says it wants to use the results when drawing up climate policy.
The Climate Consultation can be used as a basis for the first citizens’ forum on climate policy. That deliberation with 175 selected participants will start in the spring of 2024.
2023-10-25 14:36:00
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