Energy Transition & Climate Change

    Energy Transition Polarizes: Support for the Goal, Criticism of the Implementation

    Feb 14, 2026 - Munich

    People relaxing on a grassy riverside with a sandy bank, trees, and a large building with towers in the background under a blue sky.

    People in Germany continue to support the energy transition, but the topic is becoming increasingly polarized. The Energy Transition Future Monitor 2026 - conducted by the Allensbach Institute and commissioned by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt - shows: A relative majority of 43 percent continues to consider the energy transition, with the nuclear phase-out and the expansion of renewable energies, to be the right path. In 2012, however, the numbers were 73 percent.

    Doubts are particularly pronounced in East Germany, where only 33 percent support the chosen path. Conflict lines are also clearly evident in terms of party politics: while rejection clearly prevails among AfD and FDP supporters, SPD and Left Party supporters, in addition to Green Party supporters, are predominantly in favor of the chosen path. Among CDU/CSU supporters, proponents (40 percent) and critics (36 percent) are roughly balanced. Based on a representative survey of 1,029 respondents aged 16 and over, the study provides a detailed picture of how attitudes toward the energy transition have shifted over the course of 2025. The results show a population increasingly torn between the long-term necessity of climate action and short-term fears about financial burdens and economic stability. The interviews were conducted face-to-face between November 22 and December 4, 2025.Heba Aguib, member of the Board of Directors of the BMW Foundation, interprets these figures as a wake-up call. "Energy is a dominant factor in geopolitics and, at the same time, a limiting factor in the global AI race. A true 'Zeitenwende' can only succeed with a consistent energy transition. For that, societal support is needed." Energy security is among the central topics of the current geopolitical shifts, especially for a country like Germany with few energy resources. Aguib emphasizes: "It is about affordable, secure, and clean energy. This requires a diversified energy strategy, the expansion of efficient grids, and targeted support for society. Anyone who wants to protect Germany must defend the energy transition."A clear conclusion of the study: The current volatile global political situation shows that the energy transition must be realistic not only in terms of climate policy, but also in terms of security and economic policies. The concerns and priorities of the population must be taken seriously and addressed through clear communication. Only an energy strategy that combines supply security, economic stability, and increased competitiveness with the expansion of renewable energy can win public trust, secure the necessary majorities for change, and safeguard Europe’s energy independence.

    Read the full study here.

    A representative survey, commissioned by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt and conducted by the Allensbach Institute, shows that public acceptance of Germany’s energy transition is weakening. While a majority of citizens continues to see the energy transition as fundamentally necessary, confidence in its current implementation is eroding, and concerns about costs, energy security, and economic competitiveness are growing. Through the Energy Transition Future Monitor 2026, the BMW Foundation aims to contribute empirical evidence to the public debate and to support decision-makers in developing energy policies that are not only ambitious but also broadly accepted. German version

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    Key Findings At a Glance

    • Declining support for the current path
    Only 43 percent of the population currently consider Germany’s phase-out of nuclear power and the expansion of renewable energies to be the right course, down significantly from previous years. Even among supporters of the energy transition, doubts are growing about whether policymakers are choosing the right measures and the right pace.
    • Energy transition perceived more as a risk than an opportunity
    For the first time, a relative majority of Germans associates the energy transition primarily with risks rather than opportunities. Concerns focus especially on rising energy prices, changes to the landscape, and uncertainty about energy supply security.
    • Strong fears of economic and social consequences
    More than three-quarters of respondents expect the energy transition to place heavy financial burdens on both households and the economy. Many fear negative effects on Germany’s competitiveness, traditional industries, and jobs, while only a minority expects significant economic benefits or falling electricity prices.
    • Declining priority of climate protection
    A large share of the population remains concerned about the consequences of global warming. However, in light of multiple overlapping crises in recent years, support for climate protection has declined. Currently, 33 percent of the German population aged 16 and older are very concerned about the effects of climate change, 40 percent are somewhat concerned, and 21 percent report no concerns.
    • Broad agreement on the need for government support
    Despite skepticism about implementation, there is strong public backing for state involvement. A clear majority believes that the government should financially support the expansion of renewable energy and citizen-led energy projects. Photovoltaic systems, in particular, are widely seen as making an important contribution to energy security.
    • Significant information gaps remain
    Only one-third of respondents feel well informed about the goals and progress of the energy transition. Many express a desire for clearer communication, greater transparency, and more planning certainty, particularly in light of perceived personal and economic risks.

    A call for trust, clarity, and credible pathways

    The Energy Transition Future Monitor 2026 is the second annual study commissioned by the BMW Foundation to systematically track public acceptance of the energy transition in Germany. Building on the first survey conducted in early 2025, the study follows up on the same core questions and indicators, allowing for direct comparison over time.

    The first study showed that while a majority of the German population recognized the necessity of the energy transition, many already doubted its implementation and the chosen policy approach. Following the change of government in May 2025, energy policy underwent several strategic realignments. In September, the Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche (CDU), presented an energy policy plan aimed at improving the efficiency and affordability of the energy transition.

    Against this backdrop, the BMW Foundation once again commissioned the Allensbach Institute to conduct a representative survey of the population. Through the Energy Transition Future Monitor 2026, the BMW Foundation aims to contribute empirical evidence to the public debate and to support decision-makers in developing energy policies that are not only ambitious but also broadly accepted.

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