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Croats among the better informed about climate change

by AI | 09.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

A survey by the European Investment Bank shows that Croatian citizens are the fifth most informed in the EU about climate changes.

Zagreb, 19.7.2023.- Consequences of a storm in Zagreb. In the picture, the Gajnice neighborhood in Zagreb. photo HINA/ Mario MRAZOVIÆ/ ua

ZAGREB – Croatia ranks fifth among the 27 EU member states when it comes to citizens’ awareness of climate change, according to a survey by the European Investment Bank (EIB) published on Monday.

Croatia scored 6.78 out of 10, which is significantly above the EU average of 6.37/10. Leading the rankings is Finland (7.22/10), followed by Luxembourg (7.19/10) and Sweden (6.96/10). In assessing knowledge of the causes, consequences, and solutions for climate change, Croatia ranked just behind Portugal and ahead of Denmark, the EIB statement noted.

The climate survey was conducted among more than 30,000 citizens in 35 countries, including EU member states, the United Kingdom, the USA, China, Japan, India, and Canada, and respondents answered 12 questions.

Four-fifths of Croatians are aware that the main cause of climate change is human activity

The first part of the survey dealt with the definition and causes of climate change. Here, Croatian citizens scored 7.21/10, the same as the EU average, placing them 13th in the Union.

For example, 81 percent of Croatian citizens, seven percentage points above the EU average, are aware that the main cause of climate change is human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, industry, and transport.

When asked which three countries contribute the most to global greenhouse gas emissions, the majority of Croatians, 68 percent of them, correctly answered that these are the USA, China, and India.

“However, nearly a third of respondents, 32 percent, chose an answer omitting China, indicating that they are not necessarily aware that this country is among the three largest emitters, let alone that it emits the most carbon dioxide in the world,” the EIB points out.

Regarding questions about the consequences of climate change, Croatians scored 8.63/10, which is significantly above the European average, placing them second in the Union. Thus, 90 percent of Croatian respondents are aware that climate change increases world hunger by affecting agricultural crop yields due to extreme weather conditions.

The EIB emphasized that, as the European Union bank, they continue investing in significant projects that support green transition in Croatia. (July 8, 2024)