Almost 7 out of 10 Dutch people doubt whether positive environmental effects are permanent
No less than 71 percent of the Dutch want to maintain the cleaner air and positive environmental effects that have arisen after parts of the economy have been shut down by the corona virus. Almost half are even prepared to permanently adjust their own travel behavior for this purpose. This is the conclusion of research that Ipsos carried out on behalf of ABN AMRO and was published today. According to ABN AMRO, never before have so many people indicated that they consider the climate important and want to contribute to it themselves. A year ago, a large majority also indicated that they considered sustainability important, but car use and air traffic were only something to think about for a quarter. These results seem to mark a turning point in the transition from a non-sustainable society to a sustainable one. However, almost 7 out of 10 Dutch people wonder whether the positive consequences for the environment can actually be maintained.

83 percent want sustainability high on the political agenda
Economic recovery is now a priority for most Dutch people, but climate will follow immediately afterwards. 41 percent believe that the economy and climate should be tackled together. The government may also require the companies it supports to make their business operations more sustainable, says a majority (54 percent). More than 8 out of 10 citizens who are concerned about the climate believe that sustainability should be high on the political agenda, especially now that society needs to be redesigned. This can be done by promoting cleaner transport and working from home, limiting aviation and investing in green energy. Citizens also want to make a contribution themselves. For example, 18 percent are now buying more local products and plan to do so after the crisis. Almost 8 out of 10 Dutch people who sometimes fly are willing to fly less and more than three-quarters of car drivers want to limit car use.

More than three-quarters of the Dutch want to move from 'ego system' to 'ecosystem'
Corona has very far-reaching consequences, but the research shows that it has also made people more aware of the importance of health and the climate. “As many as 36 percent of citizens consider the virus outbreak as a wake-up call to deal better with the climate. There is also a growing need for a society in which we look out for each other and in which we tackle social problems together,” says Franka Rolvink Couzy, Head of Sector Research at ABN AMRO. “For example, 85 percent think that today's society is characterized as an 'ego system', in which the emphasis is mainly on shareholder value and personal gain. A large majority of 80 percent would like to see this turned into an 'ecosystem', where people care about each other's well-being in addition to personal and financial gain. The government is faced with the task of developing a policy in which it finds a balance between economic, social and sustainable interests.”

Source: Atlas News database