Climate Change Awareness and Institution Perception: An Empirical Analysis of European Countries
Articles > Article · 2023
Authors: Erol Türker Tümer, Elif Korkmaz Tümer, Özge KOZAL
Fiscaoeconomia, Refereed Journals of Other Institutions, International, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), 2023, vol 7, pp 1511-1535
Summary
<p>Climate awareness of individuals holds a critical place in the design of climate change adaptation and</p><p>mitigation policies. This study examines the impact of socio-demographic variables and individuals&#39; perceptions</p><p>of economic and political institutions on climate awareness. Using the European Social Survey (ESS) 10th Round</p><p>data, the relationship between climate awareness and perception of institutions is analyzed for 19 European</p><p>Union member countries (20,004 people). The results obtained from ordered logistics model estimations show</p><p>that the climate awareness of individuals who think that the country they are living in has “inclusive”</p><p>institutions is higher than those who consider institutions as “extractive.” Evidence also shows that while</p><p>having a high income and supporting left-wing views positively affects climate awareness, gender, age, and</p><p>education level have no statistically significant impact on awareness. In addition, the analysis revealed that</p><p>individuals living in Central and Eastern European countries have higher levels of awareness compared to those</p><p>in EU-15 countries. These findings imply that besides socio-economic factors, the perception regarding the</p><p>structure of institutions plays an important role in the process of combating climate change. Accordingly, the</p><p>study concludes that to pursue more harmonious and effective policies on climate change and environmental</p><p>issues, EU countries should first develop institutional structures that will increase individual awareness.</p>