Impact of COVID-19 on Attitudes to Climate Change and Support for Climate Policies

Author/Editor:

Adil Mohommad ; Evgenia Pugacheva

Publication Date:

February 4, 2022

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

This paper inquires into how individual attitudes to climate issues and support for climate policies have evolved in the context of the pandemic. Using data from a unique survey of 14,500 individuals across 16 major economies, this study shows that the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic increased concern for climate change and public support for green recovery policies. This suggests that the global health crisis has opened up more space for policy makers in key large economies to implement bolder climate policies. The study also finds that support for climate policies decreases when a person has experienced income and/or job loss during the pandemic. Protecting incomes and livelihoods in the near-term is thus important also from a climate policy perspective.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2022/023

Subject:

Frequency:

regular

English

Publication Date:

February 4, 2022

ISBN/ISSN:

9798400200021/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2022023

Pages:

22

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