Czech (non)transformation 2022

Summary

INTRODUCTION

STEM Institute for Empirical Research and the research and communication center Institute 2050 carried out research Czech (non)transformation 2022. The research was focused on Czechs’ attitudes toward climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The research goal was to capture in detail the concerns (barriers, threats) and positive expectations (opportunities, benefits) that Czech society has about this transformation, to test various (policy) instruments based on EU policies, the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package. Furthermore, we focused on identifying narratives that make it possible to reduce fear/uncertainty and manage expectations of Czech citizens when it comes to green transition.

The project was funded mainly by Heinrich Böll Stiftung and European Climate foundation. A part of the project, which dealt with energy sector in the Czech Republic, and especially renewable sources of energy was funded by European People´s party (EPP) through the office of MEP Luděk Niedermayer.

METHODS

Data collection method: a combination of online and personal interviewing

(CAWI+CAPI).

Sample size: 2,086 adult Czech citizens (18+ years)

The sample is representative of: the adult population of the Czech Republic.

Selection method: quota selection (sex, age, education, size of place of residence, region)

Data collection timeframe: May 6-30, 2022

Data was collected in two waves and weighted, and a separate data collection (not included) was conducted for the coal mining region of Moravskoslezský kraj. The segmentation of climate transformation attitudes presents Latent Class Analysis results. The EU segmentation is a longitudinal index build on correlation analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Majority of Czech society nowadays recognizes climate change as a phenomenon, which is happening right now (61%) or will happen in the future (another 12%). There is also agreement on urgency to address climate change as 72% of Czechs thinks that we need to start doing so in this decade. Transformation (of economy and society) to meet low carbon goals must be in public opinion massive (25% “Total change”, 42% “Substantial change”).

However, Czech society does not have a lot of information about reasons and impacts of climate change. People also have only a minor knowledge of green transformation, Czech obligations and planned policies in this area.

European Green Deal

Just 12% of Czech citizens declare good knowledge of the policy (only 1% declare “very good knowledge”). Around one third of Czechs would strengthen GD, another third would rather cancel it, and last third cannot say.

According to the Czech public GD will bring about a necessary change. However, people think that GD is rushed and not very well planned. At the same time, there is a split as to whether the change will be good or bad and whether it is more of an opportunity or rather a threat.

Czechs expect that the GD will bring improvements mainly in areas directly related to the environment. Regarding its impact on the economy and living standards in the country, Czechs are significantly more sceptical or unsure about GD’s merits. A significant proportion of people expects a deterioration of the Czech economy (52%) and living standards (51%) or an increase in inequalities (46%) as a result of the GD.