Federal Minister for the Environment Steffi Lemke commented: “I’m delighted that young people have a positive view of Europe and value our democracy. The current crises are causing environmental andclimate protection to take a back seat, even among young people. Cooperation with young people is of great importance to the Federal Environment Ministry, and the youth study was also developed together with them. From conversations with young people, I know how important it is for them to be involved in political processes. I therefore hope that they will make use of their right to vote in the European elections on 9 June, especially first-time voters aged 16 and over. Environmental policy is future policy and that can only work with all generations.”
Dirk Messner, President of the German Environment Agency, added: “The youth study shows that we need to take the concerns and perspectives of young people more seriously again and give them a greater voice. In order for committed young people to remain motivated, we need to show that their efforts are making a difference. That's why it's so important that politicians also take on board and implement young people's ideas for achieving environmental and climate goals.
Future prospects: individual optimism meets concerns for society as a whole
Young people continue to see their personal prospects for the future as predominantly positive, although they are increasingly pessimistic about the future in socio-political terms.
Democracy and Europe important for young people
For a clear majority of young people, it is important to live in a democracy (94 per cent). Almost three quarters of young people support the European Union. These are encouraging figures just over a week before the European elections.
Companies and politicians have a responsibility
When it comes to environmental and climate protection, young people expect more from business in particular. In the survey, 74 per cent of respondents thought that companies were not doing enough in this area. The majority are of the opinion that the state has a role to play in setting stricter targets for business, e.g. through a fixed upper limit for CO2 emissions. However, drastic measures for private individuals, such as a strict limit on air travel, are rejected.
Approval of the work of environmental organisations and criticism of radical commitment to climate protection
The work of environmental organisations and initiatives is viewed positively by the majority of respondents, but there is no support for radical commitment to climate protection. The impact of climate activists is viewed negatively.
Details of the study
The study was conducted for the first time in 2017 and has been conducted every two years since then. For the current study, a representative sample of 1,150 young people between the ages of 14 and 22 were surveyed between 15 September and 1 October 2023. The study was conducted by the Verian social research institute. A youth project advisory board with eight young people worked intensively on the study. To discuss the results of the study with young people and representatives of the Federal Environment Ministry and the German Environment Agency, the youth forum “Environment. Crisis. Future?” took place in Berlin on 31 May.
Click to enlarge
