Skip to main content

Ruhr Economic Papers #1034

2023

Jens Horbach

Determinants of Climate Change Perception and Behaviour of European Households

The success of climate change measures is highly dependent on household behaviour as one of the most important emission sources of carbon dioxide. Private heating, electricity consumption or private transport are important key levers to reduce households´ impacts on climate change. The paper analyses the determinants of climate change related attitudes and activities based on econometric estimations of European survey data. The results show that personal factors such as female gender, qualification and a high income are positively correlated to green behaviour. Persons having difficulties to pay their bills show a lower probability of buying local, climatefriendly products, but a bad economic situation is not a barrier for green attitudes. The results for the political orientation show that politically left and middle oriented persons are more likely for supporting climate change related actions.

ISBN: 978-3-96973-203-8

JEL-Klassifikation: C25, D12, D91, Q01

Link to the document