Prices at German petrol stations are starting to rise following the end of a price-reduction programme. Several surveys suggest that the rise in energy and food prices and climate change are at the top of the list of major problems in Germany. By a large margin, investment in renewable energy sources is seen as the best way to achieve energy independence from Russia by respondents to a survey conducted by More in Common in four large European countries (France, Germany, Poland and the UK). Another survey, commissioned by the Norwegian energy company Statkraft, shows that the current crisis is boosting acceptance of the energy transition.

The rise in energy and food prices, largely caused by the consequences of the war started by Russia in Ukraine, is one of the most worrying issues in Germany and other European countries

However, surveys suggest that climate change is often just as important, and the transition to an energy system based on renewable energy sources is seen as the key solution to both crises.

The organisation More in Common conducted a survey in late July on the rise in food and energy prices. It found that 97% of people across all four countries are feeling the impact of rising prices, and more than seven out of ten people said they are struggling or just getting by. Most of the population does not trust any political party to deal with the crisis, but opposition parties, including populist and authoritarian parties, are gaining ground everywhere. Many expected protests or even riots in the coming months.

However, the organisation claims that the crisis has not diminished people's commitment to climate goals. Respondents blamed governments for not investing in renewable energy sources sooner and agreed that delaying commitments to fight climate change would only increase energy bills in the medium and long term.

In Germany, More in Common, together with the polling company YouGov, surveyed 2138 adults. Here, 99% of those surveyed admitted to feeling the impact of rising prices. This issue is also at the top of the list of the most important current issues for Germany – 45% of respondents mentioned inflation as one of the three most important problems, followed by climate and the environment at 38% and housing availability (28%).

Three-quarters of respondents supported accelerating the use of renewable energy sources. 62% of those surveyed would agree to higher prices now if it meant lower energy bills in the long term. However, only 49% of those surveyed admitted they would agree to further energy price increases if it helped Germany reach its climate goals faster. Support for political relief measures, such as reducing VAT on energy and food or introducing an energy price cap, was high (over 80%), but only 33% of those surveyed supported energy consumption regulation. Solar and wind energy were seen as reliable energy sources, while oil and gas were seen as less reliable.

Climate issues remain relevant

The survey organiser Forschungsgruppe Wahlen has been conducting the representative Politbarometer survey since 1977, and once or twice a month respondents are asked to name the most important problem Germany is currently facing. For more than a decade, the environment/climate/energy transition remained at a relatively constant level until a rise in voter concern appeared in 2018/2019, which catapulted it to the top of the list, until it was affected by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. In recent years, this issue has remained among the biggest concerns. It took the lead in the list of concerns again in August 2022 (43%), followed by costs/wages/prices. In August 2022, this issue returned to the top of the list of concerns (43%), followed by costs/wages/prices.

Energy crisis boosts recognition of energy transition

The Norwegian energy company Statkraft published survey results showing that, due to the energy crisis, the use of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly popular in Germany. 63% of respondents indicated that the crisis has made renewable energy sources more important, and only 8% of respondents claimed that this was not the case. Two-thirds of those surveyed indicated that Germany should have accelerated the implementation of renewable energy sources some time ago. 88% of those surveyed supported the construction of solar energy facilities within five kilometres of their homes or were neutral (81% supported wind energy), noted Statkraft.