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Why Did Support for Climate Policies Decline in Europe and Central Asia?

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  • Alexandru Cojocaru
  • Michael M. Lokshin
  • Ivan Torre

Abstract

This paper investigates trends in willingness to pay higher taxes to combat climate change in countries of Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia between 2016 and 2023. Using data from the Life in Transition Survey, it shows that despite increasing attention from policy makers, scientists, and the media, the average shares of respondents willing to pay to combat climate change declined over this period. The paper tests several hypotheses that could explain the deterioration of public readiness to support climate change policies. The most likely explanation is the growing politicization of the climate change agenda in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandru Cojocaru & Michael M. Lokshin & Ivan Torre, 2024. "Why Did Support for Climate Policies Decline in Europe and Central Asia?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10914, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:10914
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    File URL: https://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099453409172414944/pdf/IDU-f3fe78e3-2042-435b-b84a-0f8cdca909a9.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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