Local Climate Change Mitigation Actions: Their Relation with Public Attitudes and GHG Emission Reductions

• In Event: Environmental Policy & Politics

Abstract

The changing climate requires the implementation of stringent policies that curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Studies on climate policy efficacy find small but significant effects on emission reductions if countries implement them. They explain differences across countries, overlooking varying emission profiles within countries, which are in parts shaped by climate change mitigation actions taken by local governing bodies.

Opinion studies show that a public favoring environmental protection and exhibiting climate change concern nudges decision-makers to pass climate bills. What has received less attention is how economic optimism and the government’s perceived responsibility influence mitigation action provisions.

I investigate to what extent local mitigation actions explain reductions in regional GHG emissions overall and in the most targeted sectors. I elaborate on the efficacy of certain types of actions. The second part examines various public attitudes related to climate change. Are they responsible for variation in the regional stock of local climate change mitigation actions?

I analyze 180 NUTS2 regions in Europe over 15 years (N=2700), based on GHG emission data from EDGAR, CoM for climate urban level mitigation actions and Eurobarometer data about climate change attitudes of Europeans.

It is relevant to understand local mitigation actions better in the EU, since it deals with climate change following a multilevel governance approach that attributes considerable responsibility to subnational governments. Their effectiveness in curbing emissions has not yet been documented and this paper fills this gap. Additionally, I deliver insights about public attitudes setting the stage for local governments engaging in climate action.

Author

• Manuel Ebner, University of Basel