Scepticism regarding conservation, i.e. the argument that energy problems cannot be solved by energy conservation, is now advocated as much (44%) as opposed (43%). Belief in energy saving as an efficient measure has thus slightly strengthened since the previous survey.

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 thirteen years now [Figure 20.].

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 backed up by more than one in two (57%, 24% disagree). The distribution is, however, slightly more negative than in the previous year and does not support the view that the significance of energy conservation is increasing. More specifically, the current distribution is the second most negative in the entire follow-up period. The claim received most extensive support at the beginning of the 1990s (peak value of 74% in 1992). Despite the increasing and decreasing stages of the attitude trend, the support for conservation in principle has remained strong at all stages [Figure 21.].

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 Greens and the National Coalition Party are farthest apart (not included in the figures).