Journal article 258 views 54 downloads
Factors and framing effects in support for net zero policies in the United Kingdom
,
Emily Gray,
Sophie Thompson,
Rachel Brisley
Frontiers in Psychology, Volume: 14, Start page: 1287188
Swansea University Author:
Kat Steentjes
-
PDF | Version of Record
© 2023 Poortinga, Whitmarsh, Steentjes, Gray, Thompson and Brisley. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).
Download (1.12MB)
DOI (Published version): 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1287188
Abstract
Achieving ambitious carbon reduction targets requires transformative change to society, with behaviour change playing an important role. Climate change mitigation (‘net zero’) policies are needed to accelerate and support such behaviour change. This study examined factors and framing effects in publ...
| Published in: | Frontiers in Psychology |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1664-1078 |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media SA
2023
|
| Online Access: |
Check full text
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70296 |
| Abstract: |
Achieving ambitious carbon reduction targets requires transformative change to society, with behaviour change playing an important role. Climate change mitigation (‘net zero’) policies are needed to accelerate and support such behaviour change. This study examined factors and framing effects in public support for net zero policies in the United Kingdom (UK), making use of a large probability sample (ntotal = 5,665) survey conducted in August 2021. It found that net zero policies are widely supported, with only taxes on red meat and dairy products being supported by less than half of the UK public. Climate worry and perceived fairness were the strongest and most consistent predictors of policy support for net zero policies. The results further suggest that support for net zero policies can be increased by emphasising the co-benefits of the policies, in particular where they are beneficial for health. However, the framing effects were very small. In contrast, public support for net zero policies is lower when potential lifestyle and financial costs are mentioned. This suggests that perceived fairness of the distribution of costs and lifestyle implications of policies are crucial for building and maintaining support for net zero. |
|---|---|
| Keywords: |
net zero, climate change, policy support, framing effects, perceived fairness |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
We acknowledge support from the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) through the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), Grant Ref: ES/S012257/1. The research was conducted as part of the Ipsos-CAST Climate Engagement Partnership. |
| Start Page: |
1287188 |