A sceptical argument on energy conservation, stating that the energy problems cannot be solved by saving energy, strongly divides the respondents. More people reject this claim (47%) than accept it (40%), however. Thus, the belief in energy conservation as an efficient measure has 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 energy conservation gradually increased for several years in the early 1990's (saving is one virtue that is particularly characteristic of a period of economic recession), until the trend broke in 1994 and attitudes were immediately restored close to the level of the 1980's. The attitudes remained appreciably stable for more than ten subsequent years. The results obtained in the latest two surveys suggest that the stable period has ended. The belief in the opportunities of energy conservation - or the necessity of conserving energy, since this may also be an issue - has started to increase again [Figure 18].

Although energy conservation is not seen as the one and only solution to energy problems, many believe it to be a partial solution. The statement that more efficient energy conservation measures should be taken instead of building new power plants is backed up by almost two respondents out of three (65%, 20% disagree). The opinions are more favorable towards the statement than a year before, and also the most favorable in the new millennium. Thus, each of the statements pertaining to energy conservation gives a similar signal. It is not a question of any major emphasis on energy conservation, however. The statement received the most extensive support at the beginning of the 1990's (peak value of 75% in 1992). Despite the increasing and decreasing attitudes, support for conservation has remained strong at all times [Figure 19].

When studying the energy conservation attitudes more closely, one can see some clear dependencies. Women's attitudes towards energy conservation are visibly more positive than those of men, according to both indicators. When studied by age group, one can see that the younger the respondent, the more in favor of energy conservation he/she is. In the political field, the supporters of the Greens and the National Coalition Party are farthest apart (not included in the figure).