efficiency

According to a Harris poll carried out for the European Climate Foundation and the French Economic, Social Affairs and Environment Council (CESE), over 80 percent of French people and business leaders are supporting the energy transition.

This energy transition is due to allow our civilization to go from polluting fossil fuels to cleaner and greener energy sources such as renewable energy. A significant part of this transition will be played by energy efficiency.

Seen as a way to bring technological innovation, access to new markets and as a way to increase the attractiveness of French companies overall, the majority of citizens and of entrepreneurs believe that the transition will have positive impacts on their lives.

The quasi totality of the polled people see this transition as a good thing for reducing pollution, preserving natural resources and fighting climate change.

Even if short term price increases are foreseen by more than three quarters of polled people, only a third see it as expensive in the long term. As a matter of fact, 43% of the French public believes energy will ultimately be cheaper.

As a result over 80 percent of respondents believe it is somewhat or very urgent to lead an energy transition policy. Similarly over 90 percent are in favor of renewable energy sources.

Nuclear power, while bringing 80 percent of French electricity, is dividing the population with around half in favor and half against.

As both the two main French newspapers – Le Monde and Le Figaro – note, the poll shows that less than a third of French people and less than a quarter of French business leaders believe that shale gas is compatible with this energy transition.

It is worth noting that the previous conservative government led by Mr. Sarkozy had banned fracking as early as 2011. The current liberal government, led by Mr. Hollande, has reaffirmed that it won’t ease the ban as Bloomberg reported.

More on this most interesting poll on the European Climate Foundation page.