Explaining citizens' perceptions of international climate-policy relevance. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schleich, Joachim; Faure, Corinne
• Is Part Of: Energy policy. Volume 103(2017)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Climate policy -- Climate change -- Trust -- Ordered logit model; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Politique énergétique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2017.01.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4215

Abstract

Abstract: This paper empirically analyses the antecedents of citizens' perceptions of the relevance of international climate policy. Its use of representative surveys in the USA, China and Germany controls for different environmental attitudes and socio-economic factors between countries. The findings of the micro-econometric analysis suggest that the perceived relevance of international climate policy is positively affected by its perceived effectiveness, approval of the key topics discussed at international climate conferences, and environmental attitudes, but is not affected by perceived procedural justice. A higher level of perceived trust in international climate policy was positively related to perceived relevance in the USA and in China, but not in Germany. Citizens who felt that they were well informed and that their position was represented at climate summits were more likely to perceive international climate policy as relevant in China in particular. Generally, the results show only weak evidence of socio-demographic effects. Highlights: Perceptions of climate-policy relevance increase with perceptions of effectiveness. In China and the USA, trust increases perceptions of climate-policy relevance. Environmental attitudes are related to perceptions of climate-policy relevance. In China, well-informed citizens perceive climate policy as more relevant. Socio-demographics only weakly affect perceptions of climate-policy relevance.