87% of Spaniards support banning polluting vehicles in cities to combat climate change

87 percent of Spaniards support banning vehicles with high levels of emissions in the center of cities to fight against climate change and 94 percent are in favor of implementing school programs on climate change, according to a survey of the European Investment Bank on climate that exposes the position of Spaniards on possible measures to face the fight against global warming.

The poll also concludes that 62 percent are in favor of banning short-haul flights and 63 percent support an increase in the price of food and goods with a significant carbon footprint.

The results are part of the second edition of its European Investment Bank climate survey of citizens of the European Union, the United States and China, which has been prepared in collaboration with the opinion research and consulting company BVA.

The survey notes that Spaniards are “willing to support actions and policies to fight climate change, even if they have an impact on their daily lives.

Specifically, the survey highlights that Spaniards broadly support efforts in the field of education as an effective political initiative.

In fact, the percentage of Spaniards in favor of school programs on climate change and waste classification is 94 percent compared to 91 percent of European respondents who would support this policy.

As for limiting transport with high carbon emissions, 70 percent of Spaniards are in favor of progressively banning diesel cars while 87 percent are in favor of banning vehicles with high emission levels in the center of cities.

In the same vein, 78 percent of Spaniards (11 percentage points) above the European average (67%) are in favor of lower speed limits in cities.

Another of the measures of the Spaniards support with a high percentage, is an increase in the price of food and goods with a significant carbon footprint, such as red meat and mobile phones, with 63 percent.

At the same time, he adds that 86 percent of Spaniards believe that the communities and workers most affected by the energy transition should receive financial support.

Collectively, citizens of the European Union, the United States and China support a broad set of policy initiatives to combat climate change and are widely in favour of introducing a carbon tax on air transport.

On the contrary, the survey reveals “important” differences in the levels of support of the different regions, since in China 93 percent of citizens are in favor, compared to 72 percent of Europeans and 60 percent of Americans.

Meanwhile, 82 percent of EU respondents say they favor banning high-emission vehicles in city centers, compared to 69 percent in the United States and 97 percent in China.

EIB Vice-President Emma Navarro, responsible for climate and environmental action, says climate change is “among the main concerns of European citizens”.

Navarro celebrates that they are “willing to make personal sacrifices” to fight global warming and to live in a more sustainable way, but at the same time they expect governments and companies to adopt measures to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental protection.

“We must all be part of the answer to this challenge. The European Investment Bank is firmly committed to providing the necessary technical and financial means for all sectors involved to contribute to solving the climate crisis.”

Source: The Vanguard