Because of war and inflation – more and more Austrians want to get rid of gas

For the representative Integral survey (commissioned by Greenpeace and the MOTHER EARTH campaign), a total of 2000 citizens were asked for their opinion on natural gas. The result could not be clearer: no less than 63 percent are negative about this fossil fuel. At least 33 percent say they have become more critical of the influx of non-renewable energy into the pipeline in recent years. The main reason given is the origin of the gas from undemocratic countries such as Russia – probably also massively fueled by the war in Ukraine.

“The rising costs and the dramatic environmental and climate impacts are increasingly visible,” said Greenpeace activist Jasmin Duregger, explaining the results that 89 percent are quickly eager for alternative sources and see the states as responsible for this faster deployment ( 84 percent).

“We are in the midst of the soft eco-future. In Lower Austria there are very good preconditions for renewable energy installations, but a lot of persuasion is still needed. Because there is fierce resistance from small groups to each of our 70 wind turbines that are in the approval process,” interrupts EVN expert Stefan Zach.

81 percent of Carinthians are critical of fossils
The contradiction: 90 percent are in favor of a quick switch to be less dependent on imports. Only nine percent of gas heating owners would ever choose such a heating system again, while 78 percent would opt for an alternative, more climate-friendly system. But the attitude varies by state. While Lower Austria and Tyrol (44 and 48 percent, respectively) are the most positive, Styria and Carinthia (73 and 81 percent) are the most critical.

Young people reject gas because of environmental concerns
Particularly striking is the recently surveyed mood barometer for this year’s MOTHER EARTH campaign, which, as in previous years, is supported by the “Krone”: for young people between 16 and 29 years old, it is pure environmental problems that lead to the rejection of fossils . In the age group of 30 to 69 years, however, the “unacceptable countries of origin” and the security of supply are the reasons why they want to see the tap closed as soon as possible.

Jasmin Duregger regrets that the completely failed political framework of recent years has literally forced people to depend on gas heating. Which startled the conservationist even more: “Many Austrians have therefore only recently opted for the expensive, climate-damaging and human rights-threatening form of heating.”

The fact that many citizens do not consider a change in the foreseeable future is justified by the fact that the switch is too expensive (39 percent), but also by their satisfaction with the current system (34 percent). Because of all these aspects, Duregger advocates enshrining the ban on fossil fuel heating systems by 2040.