Romanians recognize sustainability issues but hesitate to act

Green Forum

28 June, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Over 70% of Romanians believed that solutions to current societal sustainability issues require a collective effort (both from citizens and public and private institutions). Although they are well-informed and aware of sustainability and living sustainably, Romanians are hesitant to take concrete actions to contribute to sustainability, according to the Annual Sustainability Barometer conducted by the research company Reveal Marketing Research.

Eco-friendly or green products and solutions are aspirational for 7 out of 10 Romanians but are still perceived as less accessible than conventional alternatives.

The main motivations for adopting a sustainable lifestyle are environmental protection (51%), depletion of available resources (45%), and climate change in recent years (42%).

Even though the public is more aware of this issue, the willingness to change behavior has not increased compared to last year.

Romanians perceive sustainability more as an effort or a burden rather than a cause, considering that 30% of Romanians believe the idea of sustainability involves using resources responsibly, while the measures that could address the causes are at the bottom of the hierarchy.

The study conducted by Reveal Marketing Research analyzed how the intentions expressed by Romanians before the implementation of the Deposit-Refund System (November 2023) are reflected in their current behaviors.

70% of Romanians claim to return all packaging marked with the DRS symbol, while 19% return only some of them.

39% of Romanians have adopted this behavior to avoid losing the money paid for the deposit.

Only 45% of Romanians are satisfied with the operation of the Deposit-Refund System, with the main solution for its improvement being considered the increase in the number of return points (55%).