The Swedish Opinion on Environment, Energy and Climate Change (EECC) is a project within the Swedish National Election Studies Program at the University of Gothenburg. Every year, EECC publishes a report in collaboration with the SOM* Institute titled Environmental and Climate Opinion in Sweden. This report presents Swedes' views over time on issues such as concerns about climate change, interest in environmental issues, and attitudes toward various climate-related taxes.
"Many of our analyses are based on the national SOM surveys, and some results are presented through the SOM Institute’s reports. However, we also publish our own reports, which we want to highlight! These include clear and accessible data that can be useful for those interested in these issues," says Sofia Axelsson, survey manager.
Two New Reports: Wind Power and Nuclear Power
The two latest reports from EECC focus on Swedes' attitudes toward wind power and nuclear power in 2023. The results reflect the political energy debate in recent years and suggest challenges in achieving a long-term parliamentary consensus on Swedish energy policy.
Sofia Axelsson summarizes the key findings of the reports as follows:
- A historic shift in opinion was observed between 2020 and 2022, with Swedes becoming increasingly supportive of nuclear power and more inclined to maintain its use rather than phase it out.
- In 2023, there was a slight rebound effect with support for nuclear power decreasing somewhat but remaining high.
- Support for wind power remains very high among Swedes, with the proportion of positive attitudes increasing between 2022 and 2023. Compared to nuclear power, attitudes toward wind power are more uniformly positive.
- Over time, the ideological divide between left and right on these energy sources has widened. Nuclear power and wind power have become ideologically polarized, with voters on the right favoring nuclear power and those on the left favoring wind power.
- There are significant differences in attitudes between political parties and blocs, especially between the Sweden Democrats (SD), who are most supportive of nuclear power and least supportive of wind power, and the Green Party (MP), who are most supportive of wind power and least supportive of nuclear power.
* The SOM Institute at the University of Gothenburg conducts studies centered around Society, Opinion and Media habits among the Swedish public.
The reports are available in English:
Public Attitudes to Nuclear Power in Sweden 2023 (pdf)
Public Attitudes to Wind Power in Sweden 2023 (pdf)
