A survey conducted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) has found that 42 percent of people in the Netherlands would be willing to give up flying in order to play their part in protecting the climate. 

EIB: The Netherlands would give up flying

In their annual climate survey, EIB asked people living in countries around the world which aspects of their lives they were ready to give up in order to help fight climate change. The survey found that, while people said they were willing to give up a number of luxuries, most people were more concerned about COVID-19 than about climate change. 

In the Netherlands, quitting flying was the most popular option when people were asked what they’d give up in order to protect the climate. After flying, 19 percent of respondents said they’d stop eating meat, 17 percent said they’d cut down on the amount of time they spent watching Netflix of Youtube, and 12 percent said they’d buy fewer clothes. The survey found that the least popular option among respondents was giving up their car - only 10 percent said they’d be willing to do this. 

While a whopping 77 percent of respondents under the age of 29 said they’d give up flying, and the same age group said they’d find it hardest to give up online streaming. While the results of the survey are promising, the Netherlands performed relatively poorly in comparison to it’s EU neighbours. Of all European populations, people in the Netherlands are the least willing to radically change their lifestyles - only 9 percent would, considerably less than the European average of 19 percent.

Flying, climate change, and coronavirus 

Considering the significant fears people harbour across the world about the ongoing coronavirus crisis, it is perhaps not so surprising that many people said they’d be willing to limit their international travel. 66 percent of those surveyed said they were less likely to use public transport because they were worried about the spread of the virus. 

Furthermore, once travel restrictions are lifted - whenever that might be - 22 percent of the Europeans who took part in EIB’s survey said they will avoid flying because of concerns about climate change, with many Europeans saying they’ll opt to holiday in their own country or in a near-by country instead of travelling further afield.