How sustainable is our behaviour?
A majority of the population of the Netherlands is aware that climate change is a problem and is concerned about the consequences for future generations. However, this awareness does not always translate into sustainable action. Women behave more sustainably than men in day-to-day life. They wear a sweater more often when it gets cold (73 percent, compared to 64 percent of men), take the car less often when travelling short distances (30 percent compared to 24 percent) and wear second-hand clothes more often (16 percent compared to 9 percent).
The percentage of women who do not eat meat is twice as high as that of men (6 versus 3). Men and women do not differ in taking short showers, switching off lights in rooms where nobody is present or using the tumble dryer. There is also no difference between the genders when it comes to flying habits.
For the Perceptions study, in the period from February to June 2020 CBS asked more than 3.6 thousand inhabitants of the Netherlands aged 18 or older what they thought about climate change and the energy transition, and whether they are changing their behaviour in a sustainable direction to save the climate.
Six out of 10 people believe humans are the main cause of climate change
Six out of 10 adults believe that climate change is caused entirely (12 percent) or mainly (48 percent) by humans. Over one-quarter (27 percent) state that it is caused equally by humans and nature. Five percent believe nature is the main cause of climate change and 1 percent attribute climate change entirely to nature.
| Oorzaak klimaatverandering | Share |
|---|---|
| Entirely caused by human activity | 11.9 |
| Mainly caused by human activity | 47.7 |
| Caused equally by humans and nature | 26.8 |
| Mainly caused by nature | 4.7 |
| Entirely caused by nature | 1.0 |
| Don't know where the cause lies | 1.9 |
| No answer | 0.3 |
| Don't believe in climate change or don't know | 5.7 |
Large majority want more green energy
Almost half of the adult population of the Netherlands would like to see less petroleum and natural gas use. About one in 10 thinks that the Netherlands should stop using these fossil fuels altogether. A large majority are in favour of green energy. For example, 83 percent want greater use of solar energy and 73 percent advocate greater use of wind energy. Many Dutch residents also see the use of hydro power and geothermal energy as sustainable alternatives. Opinions on the use of nuclear energy and biomass are divided.
| Energiebron | More | Same as now | Less | Not at all | Don't know | Don't know this source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil | 1.3 | 15.7 | 48.4 | 13.1 | 18.3 | 3.2 |
| Coal | 1.3 | 6.3 | 32.5 | 43.7 | 14.1 | 2.2 |
| Natural gas | 6.5 | 24.8 | 48.4 | 8.6 | 10.5 | 1.1 |
| Wind energy | 72.5 | 14.4 | 4.9 | 1.7 | 5.7 | 0.9 |
| Solar energy | 83.0 | 9.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 0.7 |
| Geothermal heat | 56.3 | 10.8 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 17.7 | 8.5 |
| Hydropower | 67.9 | 10.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 14.6 | 4.3 |
| Nuclear energy | 25.0 | 12.4 | 17.8 | 25.4 | 16.4 | 2.9 |
| Biomass | 23.0 | 15.1 | 15.1 | 13.4 | 24.6 | 8.7 |
Most Dutch inhabitants in favour of wind turbines, but not in their backyard
A large proportion of the population, 71 percent, support the construction of new wind turbines in the Netherlands. However, the Dutch are less enthusiastic about having wind turbines in their own residential environment: 21 percent are in favour, 31 percent against and 43 percent have reservations about the location: the turbines must not be too close to their homes. Most people therefore prefer to have no wind turbines near their home.
53 percent positive about the energy transition
Over half of the population believe it is positive or very positive that the government wants to make the Netherlands free of natural gas by switching to sustainable energy sources. The most frequently cited reason is that natural gas contributes to CO2 emissions (and hence climate change). Another frequently cited reason is that the extraction of natural gas leads to earthquakes and soil subsidence, as is the case in Groningen. The fact that natural gas will eventually run out is also given as a reason why the Netherlands should become gas-free.
| Houding | Share |
|---|---|
| (Very) positive | 53.4 |
| Neutral | 21.0 |
| (Very) negative | 19.0 |
| Don't know | 5.1 |
| No answer | 1.4 |
Relevant links
News release – Nearly 8 in 10 drivers sometimes deliberately leave their car at home
Publication – Monitor of well-being & the SDGs, 2021
The questions
- How are figures calculated by CBS?
- How many dwellings in the Netherlands?
- How fast is the Dutch population growing?
- How tall are Dutch people?
- How many farm animals are there in the Netherlands?
- Which jobs often cause a poor work-life balance?
- How many diamond wedding couples are there?
- How much energy is from renewable sources?
- How many people fall victim to domestic violence?
- How many people use the Internet of Things?
- What are the major religions?
- What are the most popular majors?
- What do people die of on an average day?
- How much water do we consume?
- What do we buy online?
- How are the various animal species doing?
- How many under-23s receive youth assistance?
- Which flower bulbs are most common?
- How many companies in the Netherlands?
- Where do Caribbean Dutch children live?
- How do we use our land?
- How many electric cars are driving around?
- Which jobs have the highest levels of mental fatigue?
- How much nitrogen is emitted at livestock farms?
- How many workers belong to a trade union?
- How much have food prices gone up?
- Where were people in the Caribbean Netherlands originally born?
- How many families are at risk of poverty?
- How sustainable is our behaviour?
- What do we import from China?
- How many girls become teenage mothers?
- Has our purchasing power gone up or down?
- How many adults smoke?
- How many millionaires in the Netherlands?
- How many tourists stay overnight in the Netherlands?
- How does CBS handle your privacy?