A recent survey conducted by the Association OIE Serbia, supported by the European Union and WWF Adria, reveals that a significant majority of young people in Serbia are aware of the impact of fossil fuels on climate change and strongly support the green transition, particularly through the use of renewable energy sources. The research was part of the project “Raising awareness of climate change and green transition,” which aimed to explore attitudes toward energy and climate change among youth.
The survey, conducted among 525 individuals aged 18 to 30 from across Serbia, found that 69% of respondents believe fossil fuels are a major contributor to climate change. A large majority, 87%, view thermal power plants as significant polluters in Serbia, and 90% support a shift towards greater production and consumption of renewable energy.
Young people expressed the most optimism about solar energy, with 42% identifying it as the greatest renewable energy source potential in Serbia. However, a smaller percentage recognized the potential of other renewable sources: 22% pointed to hydropower, and 19% highlighted wind energy. Geothermal energy, biomass and biogas were not viewed as major contributors to Serbia’s energy future.
When asked about the green transition, respondents mostly associated it with renewable energy, environmental protection, electric vehicles, sustainable development, solar panels, and EU regulations. The concept of green transition also brought up ideas of fair transition and energy source balance. However, many young people also acknowledged that Serbia’s biggest energy issues stem from old, inefficient plants and the country’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
The survey results also showed that 71% of young people recognize thermal power plants as both essential for energy production and major environmental polluters. Another 16% believe these plants do not produce enough energy but still contribute significantly to pollution. In total, 87% of young people define thermal power plants as major environmental polluters.
As for the green transition, the majority of young people, 64%, believe that investments in renewable energy sources will have positive long-term effects on Serbia’s future. They also see a wide range of business opportunities in the renewable energy sector, including in science, non-governmental organizations, the media, and even within the energy plants themselves.
In terms of the impact of climate change, young people’s primary concern is global warming, with many linking it to rising temperatures, the greenhouse effect, and unpredictable weather patterns. Respondents identified thermal power plants, outdated industrial practices, individual combustion plants, illegal landfills, and agriculture as the primary drivers of climate change. A significant 69% of participants indicated that fossil fuel use is one of the leading causes of climate change, though about a third were less convinced of its impact.
The survey also revealed that climate change is already affecting young people’s daily habits, with 55% believing it will significantly impact their lives in the future. Focus group participants pointed to health risks, new viruses, and diseases as potential outcomes of climate change. The most cited negative impacts of climate change include high temperatures (47%), droughts (19%), heatwaves (14%), and heavy rainfall (13%).
Regarding information sources, young people predominantly rely on social media (52%) for information about climate change and renewable energy. Only 22% turn to internet portals, and a smaller group (15%) rely on personal conversations with family and friends. While many feel there is an increase in reporting on climate change compared to a decade ago, young people believe the quality and depth of coverage still fall short of their expectations. A significant portion of respondents (46%) feel that information about climate change is not readily available to them.
This research highlights that young people in Serbia are not only aware of the climate change crisis but are actively seeking information and advocating for a green transition. Their support for renewable energy, particularly solar power, and their concerns about the future demonstrate the growing importance of climate action and sustainable development for Serbia’s youth.
