Perceived costs and benefits and public support for climate policies

2025/10/03 by Aleš Kudrnáč, Malcolm Fairbrother · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Social Sciences · #Climate Change Communication and Perception #Environmental Education and Sustainability #Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy

paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s44168-025-00301-x

openalex publication_date 2025/10/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02

Abstract

Abstract Public support for climate policies remains limited, partly due to perceived economic costs. However, using survey data from four European countries, we show that support is more strongly related to perceived benefits than costs. This suggests that public discourse has overemphasized costs. To build broader support, advocates should focus on communicating the benefits and effectiveness of climate action, rather than merely addressing concerns about economic burdens.

Citations

• Conditional Cooperation and Climate Change
• RETRACTED ARTICLE: The economic commitment of climate change
• Globally representative evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate action

Discussions

• 💡 A European study finds public support for climate policy hinges more on perceived benefits (health, future generations) than costs. Communicating these upsides is key to building broader backing fo [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]

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