4. ENERGY CONSERVATION

Scepticism regarding conservation, i.e. the argument that energy problems cannot be solved by energy conservation, is now advocated about as much (47%) as opposed (40%). Measured in this way, the belief in the possibilities of conservation has not changed significantly from the latest measurements.

In the longer term, the same trends as in the development of growth expectations can be detected in attitudes towards energy conservation. Positive attitudes towards conservation increased gradually for several years in the early 1990s (conservation is one virtue which is particularly characteristic of a recession period), until the trend broke in 1994 and attitudes were immediately restored close to the level of the 1980s. Since then, attitudes have remained virtually stable for twelve years [Figure 19.].

Although energy conservation is not seen as the solution to energy problems, many believe it to be a partial solution. The demand for more efficient energy conservation instead of building new power plants is accepted by more than one in two (59%, 22% disagree). Even if there is hardly any difference with the previous measurement, together these two measurements indicate that the downswing of the year before last – the figures received in 2003 were the most spiritless in terms of conservation in the entire follow-up period – has more clearly been left behind. Despite the increasing and decreasing stages of the trend in attitudes, the support for conservation in principle has continued to be strong at all stages [Figure 20.].

When conservation attitudes are examined more closely, we can see some clear dependencies. Women’s attitudes towards energy conservation are visibly more positive than men’s according to both indicators. When examined by age group, positive attitudes grow in the direction of youth. In the political field the supporters of the Green League and the National Coalition Party are farthest apart (not in the figure).