In Brief
57 percent of those under 30 believe that technologies will solve climate problems in the foreseeable future
Press Release
Berlin, April 3, 2024 – Young people in Germany have great hope that they will be able to slow down or stop climate change in the foreseeable future with the help of technology.
57 percent of 16 to 29 year olds assume that technologies that will solve climate problems will be available in the foreseeable future. In no other age group is this proportion so high: 47 percent among 30 to 49 year olds, 37 percent among 50 to 64 year olds and 30 percent among people over 65 years of age.
This is the result of a representative survey of 1,005 people in Germany aged 16 and over on behalf of the digital association Bitkom. Accordingly, 78 percent of those surveyed demand that all available digital technologies must be used to protect the climate and the environment. 73 percent are of the opinion that the consequences of climate change cannot be overcome without digitalization.
“Energy efficiency, climate protection and decarbonization are inextricably linked to digitalization,” emphasizes Bitkom sustainability expert Niklas Meyer-Breitkreutz. “We must exhaust all digital and technological possibilities to achieve our climate goals and mitigate climate change. To achieve this, technologies that have clear advantages for the climate and the environment compared to traditional processes must be brought into the area quickly.”
As the Bitkom study “Climate Effects of Digitalization” shows, Germany can achieve a significant portion of the necessary CO2 savings by accelerating the use of digital technologies. There is great potential in the areas of energy, buildings and industry, among others.
Note on methodology
The information is based on a survey that Bitkom Research conducted on behalf of the digital association Bitkom. 1,005 people in Germany aged 16 and over were surveyed by telephone. The survey took place between week 4 and week 7 of 2024. The survey is representative. The question was: “To what extent do you think the following statements about digitalization and climate change are true?” Percentage values for “Totally true” and “Somewhat true”
Source: Bitkom.org
