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How Resilient is Public Support for Carbon Pricing? Longitudinal Evidence from Germany

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  • Sommer, Stephan
  • Konc, Théo
  • Drews, Stefan

Abstract

The success of climate policies depends crucially on the dynamics of public support. Using unique longitudinal data from three surveys conducted between 2019 and 2022, we study the variations of public support for carbon pricing in Germany. The period includes two relevant events: the introduction and ramping up of carbon pricing in Germany and the exogenous increase in energy prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Using panel methods, we show that support is very persistent over time and might have increased slightly more recently. However, people who experience high energy costs display a lower support. Regarding revenue use, we detect that social cushioning has become more popular after the introduction of carbon pricing. Our findings suggest that it is crucial to gather enough support before implementing climate policies.

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  • Sommer, Stephan & Konc, Théo & Drews, Stefan, 2023. "How Resilient is Public Support for Carbon Pricing? Longitudinal Evidence from Germany," Ruhr Economic Papers 1017, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:1017
    DOI: 10.4419/96973183
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    Cited by:

    1. Eßer, Jana & Frondel, Manuel & Sommer, Stephan & Wittmann, Julia, 2023. "CO₂-Bepreisung in Deutschland: Kenntnisstand privater Haushalte im Jahr 2022," RWI Materialien 157, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung.
    2. Arlinghaus, Johanna Brigitte & Konc, Théo & Mattauch, Linus & Sommer, Stephan, 2024. "The effect of information framing on policy support: Experimental evidence from urban policies," VfS Annual Conference 2024 (Berlin): Upcoming Labor Market Challenges 302449, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    3. Jan Behringer & Lukas Endres & Maike Korsinnek, 2024. "CO2-Bepreisung: Akzeptanz und Kostenwahrnehmung nach der Preiserhöhung 2024," IMK Policy Brief 175-2024, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate change mitigation; political economy; panel methods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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