German Households' Enthusiasm for Energy Transition Dips to Lowest Since 2018
A recent survey by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK-Organisation) reveals a dip in enthusiasm for the energy transition among German households. Only 59% now express a high willingness to actively participate in the climate transition, the lowest figure since 2018.
The 'Energiewende-Barometer' project, which tracks attitudes towards the energy transition and adoption of climate-friendly technologies, found that the willingness to act has decreased from 68% in 2017 to the current 59% in 2023.
Photovoltaics (PV) remains the most popular technology, with 16% of households owning a PV system. However, the gap between wealthy and less affluent households is significant. While 50% of wealthier households use energy transition technologies, this figure drops to 16% among less wealthy households. The high cost of climate-friendly technologies is a barrier for low-income households.
Despite the dip in willingness, the adoption of climate-friendly technologies is growing. A total of 13.5 million households (33% of all private households) now use at least one such technology, an increase of 800,000 households from the previous year. Looking ahead, 2.3 million households plan to purchase a climate-friendly technology within the next 12 months. Electric cars, driven by 9% of households, and solar thermal systems for heating support and hot water production, used in 11% of households, are among the most common.
While the energy transition remains a priority for 83% of German private households, the IHK-Organisation's findings highlight the need for more affordable climate-friendly technologies to bridge the gap between wealthy and less affluent households. Despite the decrease in willingness to participate, the increasing adoption of these technologies shows that Germans are gradually embracing the climate transition.
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