Europeans call for faster shift to clean energy
Thursday 5th November 2026 on 09:31 in
Estonia
Almost nine in 10 EU residents want politicians to prioritise the shift to low-carbon energy, while three-quarters consider phasing out fossil fuels urgent, according to a survey reported by ERR on Thursday. Estonians were less supportive than the EU average.
The European Investment Bank survey of 23,000 people across the EU found that 87% want the transition to low-carbon energy prioritised, up from 82% during the 2022 energy crisis. In Estonia, 81% supported making it a priority.
Among low-emission energy sources, solar power was the most popular focus, backed by 52% of respondents. Wind power was preferred by 37%, while 19% chose nuclear energy.
Respondents also emphasised energy independence. More than half, or 55%, said they would prefer the EU to develop its own clean-technology industry, even if that meant slower adoption of the technology. China has taken a leading position in producing wind and solar energy equipment and batteries.
The survey found that 75% of EU residents consider the energy transition an urgent issue for their country, compared with 45% in Estonia. Reducing dependence on imported oil and gas was important to 82% across the EU and 68% in Estonia. Lower and more stable energy prices were expected by 79% of EU respondents and 64% of Estonians, while 76% across the EU and 58% in Estonia said slowing climate change was important.
The EIB said its annual energy-sector lending has doubled since 2022, reaching 33 billion euros in 2025. The bank signed financing and advisory agreements worth 100 billion euros that year, supporting more than 870 projects.
EIB Group President Nadia Calviño told Reuters that the shift to clean energy was both the right choice for the planet and a sound economic decision, helping reduce energy costs for businesses and households. The survey was conducted with Ipsos BVA from August 3 to 25, with results weighted to represent each country’s population. This was the first year respondents were asked whether they considered the energy transition urgent.