Abstract:

A study was conducted that provides a cross-national, comparative analysis of public understanding of, and attitudes towards nuclear, renewable and fossil-fuel energy sources in Austria, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Romania and the United Kingdom. The research forms one element of a larger EU funded project, INTUSER, which aims to promote understanding and communication between the public, energy policy-makers and the scientific community in the EU and Associated States.

Data was collected from a total sample of 1866 individuals, using an internet survey tool, and thesample indicated aboveaverage levels of education and predominantly urban residence. Preliminary analysis of levels of awareness data suggest that, although energy concepts are generally wellrecognised, considerable confusion exists about which energy sources may be characterised as ‘renewable’.

In terms of attitudes, results indicated that there existpredominantly positive attitudes towards renewable energy in comparison to fossil-fuels and nuclear energy. In both cases, a similar pattern was found of high levels of awareness and positive attitudes across Western, Central and Southern EU countries, contrasting with the views of respondents in Romania and Slovakia, who indicated far less understanding of renewable energy, and far more positive attitudes towards fossil-fuels and nuclear energy. Thirdly, whereas respondents in all countries, save Slovakia, indicated a willingness to participate in decision-making about energy, the results indicated that in each country bar Portugal, individuals perceived that decision makers placed little value in their input.

Results are explained with reference to past patterns of energy generation in these countries as well as to specific economic, political and socio-cultural conditions in the Associated States.