A survey with a representative sample carried out by the market research company Turu-Uuringute AS in April this year revealed that more than a half of the residents of Estonia (56%) consider it important to reduce the negative environmental impact of vehicles. Women, people of the age groups of 18–24 and 50–64, people with higher education, people living in Tallinn, and respondents whose households do not have cars care about reducing the environmental impact of transport more than the average respondent.
‘The transport sector accounts for nearly a fifth of Estonia's total greenhouse gas emissions and the share as well as the total volume of those emissions have multiplied since 1992. If we wish to reduce the overall climate footprint of Estonia, we must inevitably start using more new generation green fuels. According to the survey, people are prepared to change their consumption habits, but we must make considerably more efforts when it comes to raising awareness. It is also necessary to carefully consider the impacts of all regulative decisions and to assess the change in the attitude of fuel users,’ said Priit Enok, Member of the Board of the Estonian Stockpiling Agency.
According to Enok, the survey ordered by the Estonian Stockpiling Agency provides food for thought for those planning future transport solutions, as well as for the companies operating in the fuel market. ‘The strategy of the Estonian Stockpiling Agency as the company responsible for the security of supply of fuel can be updated based on the knowledge that sixty-four per cent of the respondents believe that the use of green fuels will help to reduce the dependence on oil producing countries.
In the survey, people were asked to assess ten statements about green fuels. People in Estonia place by far the highest importance on liberal market organisation of the fuel trade – as much as 83% of the respondents deem it important for the consumer to be able to decide at the petrol station whether to fill up their vehicle with green or fossil fuel.
If the prices were equal, 63% would prefer to buy green fuel for their car.
A little more than half of the people (53%) believed that their knowledge of green fuels was good, but a third (36%) of the population would like to receive more information to change their consumption habits. The negative media background of green fuels and biofuels has had a certain impact on the population and 45% claim that they avoid buying green fuels due to this reason.
One third of the people of Estonia (37%) do not know if their cars could run on green fuel, as they have probably never thought about this. In total, 34% of the population believe that green fuels would not be suitable for their cars, while 29% know that these fuels are a suitable choice for their vehicles.
The youngest age group showed a more positive attitude towards green fuels. Yet, lack of information can even be perceived among young people, as 46% of them do not have enough information about green fuels.
There were no significant differences in the attitudes of Estonians and the people of other nationalities in this issue, and the differences between different regions of Estonia were also small. However, it can be observed that the people of rural areas are somewhat less inclined to support switching to green fuels.
According to the survey, 65% of the population have bought petrol or diesel from a petrol station within the past two months. Men, representatives of the middle age groups, Estonians, and people living in Northern Estonia buy fuel more frequently than the average respondent, and people living in rural areas buy fuel most frequently.
On Wednesday, 22 May, the Estonian Stockpiling Agency will organise the third ‘Fuel Day 2024’ conference for the participants in the Estonian fuel market. This year, the event will focus on the general organisation of the market, with a special focus on issues related to green fuels. The Mektory Business and Innovation Centre in Tallinn will welcome almost 100 experts and top-level managers of the field, with 70 companies, state agencies, and umbrella organisations related to the fuel sector represented.
The state-owned Estonian Stockpiling Agency is responsible for stockpiling, storing, and organising the utilisation of essential goods needed by the Estonian population in emergencies. Estonia has a strategic stock of petrol, diesel, and jet fuel for ninety days of regular consumption, which will be used in the case of serious delivery issues.
