Holidaying Swedes fork out for the environment

The survey from insurance giant Folksam shows that over 56 percent of Swedes are prepared to pay an additional charge to offset the carbon impact of their holiday travel.

18 percent of Swedes are prepared to fork out up to 300 kronor ($38), 16 percent are ready to stump up 500 kronor and 13 percent are happy to part with 100 kronor.

But Swedes appear less willing to take additional, more concrete, steps to address the impact of their travels on the environment.

70 percent of Swedes decline to consider the impact on the environment when deciding where to take their holidays. Only 17 percent select environmentally-friendly travel alternatives and only 6 percent choose eco accommodation.

“It would seem that while many say that they would like to travel environmentally conscious few are prepared to pay for it,” Folksam spokesperson Jan Snaar told The Local on Monday.

“There is no shortage of knowledge around the subject, people are informed. But perhaps the issue has fallen off the media agenda in comparison to a year ago when there was a lot more activity,” Snaar explained.

The survey shows that air travel and private cars are the transport of choice for Swedes on holiday with 46 percent and 35 percent respectively choosing these alternatives.

While 17 percent responded that they try to select environmentally-friendly transport alternatives, only 13 percent chose to travel by rail.

“With this survey we hope to stimulate interest in the issue and raise awareness,” Jan Snaar told The Local.

The survey was conducted by Sifo on commission from Folksam and is based on interviews with 4,200 people between the ages of 18 and 65 between June 11th and June 26th.