70% of Amsterdam residents supports transition to clean energy

The majority of Amsterdam residents supports taking measures against climate change, the Amsterdam center for research, information and statistics OIS found in a survey among 1,400 locals. Around 70 percent called the switch to sustainable, clean energy a good thing and feel responsible to contribute to this transition. And only 5 percent said climate change is exaggerated, the city said in a press release.

OIS asked Amsterdam residents about their knowledge, attitude and behavior with regards to the transition to clean energy. Almost 60 percent think that climate change affects Amsterdam in a big way. Around 90 percent recognize sustainable energy sources. And some 40 percent are aware of the municipality's objectives with regards to reducing CO2 emissions and switching to natural gas-free living.

Most Amsterdam residents are already taking smaller, easy energy saving actions in their own homes. 87 percent turn off the light when they leave the room, for example. And 71 percent turn off the heating in un-occupied rooms. But measures that require more effort are less popular. Only 28 percent said that they have insulation, for example.

The main reasons Amsterdam residents gave for not taking more energy saving measures include a lack of financial resources, dependence on the homeowner or tenant, and obstacles in organizing the measures. The locals believe the municipality could help by offering more cheap loans and subsidies for sustainability measures, and by providing clear information about the options.

"It is nice to see that there is support from a large part of the Amsterdammers for our policy to make the city climate neutral and natural gas free", sustainability alderman Marieke van Doorninck said. "We see that many Amsterdammers also contribute to this whether through small or large acts. What we still have to do is remove obstacles and improve the provision of information about the options available to become more sustainable. We will of course work hard on that."