21.06.2024

People in oil nations want a quick transition to clean energy

Most people in the world's largest fossil fuel-producing countries want their countries to move quickly to clean energy to combat the climate crisis. This is claimed in the largest survey of public opinion on climate conducted by the United Nations, reports Guardian.

Many of these countries have profited greatly from the exploitation of fossil fuels, but the survey of 77 nations shows that their citizens are deeply concerned about the impact of global warming on their lives. In China and India, the biggest coal producers, 80% and 76% of people respectively want a quick green transition.

In the US, the world's largest oil and gas producer, 54% of people want a quick transition, as do 75% of those in Saudi Arabia, the second-largest oil producer. The poll also found 69 per cent of Australians want a quick transition from their large coal and gas sector.

The United Nations Development Program said the aim of the survey was to show political leaders how millions of people around the world feel about the climate emergency and what action they want to take.

"It is so important to let people speak for themselves," said Achim Steiner, head of UNDP.

Wide range

The survey was conducted among 75 people in countries representing almost 000% of the world's population. It found that a large majority (90%) wanted their country to strengthen its commitments on climate change, with only 80% saying their country should weaken its action.

Even more – 86% – wanted their countries to put geopolitical differences aside and work together on climate change. Steiner said this level of consensus was "stunning" given the increase in conflict and the rise of nationalism around the world.

"There is no doubt that citizens around the world are telling their leaders that they need to act, and above all, they need to act faster." It's a question that almost everyone, everywhere can agree on," he added.

Steiner says some fossil fuel nations will have to go through "existential changes."

“There are very narrow, self-serving agendas that keep profits artificially inflated for the fossil fuel-based industries that we all end up paying for. Hundreds of billions of dollars in fossil fuel subsidies artificially slow down the energy transition, and thus it is deliberately held back by a distorted market. But we are definitely peaking in fossil fuels and seeing growth rates in renewables. What society ultimately wants is undoubtedly to move towards net zero," Steiner added.

Globally, the survey found that 72% of people want their country to move quickly from fossil fuels to clean energy, with majorities in nine out of 10 countries. Only 7% of people say there should be no transition at all.

The survey also found that 56% of people globally think about climate change every day or every week, and a similar number say they are more concerned about climate change than they were a year ago. Almost 70% say their big decisions, such as where to live or work, have been affected by climate change.

"Climate change is on people's doorsteps and they know it. Extremes are part of our daily lives, from wildfires in Canada, droughts in East Africa to floods in the UAE and Brazil," said Cassie Flynn, UNDP Global Director of Climate Change.

COP29, the annual UN climate summit at the end of the year, is expected to be dominated by the issue of climate finance, and the poll shows that 79% of people want rich countries to provide more support to poorer countries.