Romanians see living cost, income inequality, climate change as top challenges - EIB

Some 78% of Romanians believe that the rising cost of living is the top challenge facing their country, the EIB said on Tuesday, quoting the findings of its annual Climate Survey.

Around 46% of Romanians believe that income inequalities are a major challenge, while 45% of Romanians believe that climate change and environmental degradation are a major challenge.

The survey also found that most Romanians believe that the transition to a low-carbon economy can only happen if social and economic inequalities are addressed at the same time, the EIB said.

However, only 33% of Romanian respondents say they are confident in the government’s ability to carry out a just climate transition.

A majority of Romanians, 66%, are willing to pay more income tax to support lower-income households with the costs associated with the transition to a green economy - higher than the EU average of 59%. Specifically, 54% of Romanians would agree to pay an extra 1-2% of their income, and 13% would agree to an extra 5-10%.