Theories on climate awareness: structural, institutional and individual approaches

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive literature review of factors that influence individual and societal attitudes and perceptions towards climate change. Mechanisms that determine individuals’ willingness to adopt climate-friendly behaviour will be assessed, along with the varying political acceptability of a range of climate change mitigation efforts. The study analyses these factors and mechanisms at three different, but interrelated levels: structural (macro-); individual (micro-); and institutional (meso-level). Micro factors, such as education, age and gender, shape individual preferences. Structural conditions influence a region or country’s approach to climate change. For instance, exposure to the detrimental effects of global warming, such as desertification, enhances citizens’ awareness of the problem and may encourage societies to make more meaningful efforts to combat climate change. Other structural factors are economic development, income inequality and numerous political economy constraints, such as the fossil fuel dependence of a region. Although structural conditions may constrain climate action, crucial policy design elements, such as compensatory mechanisms can make stringent policies more palatable and improve the public perception of their fairness. Most institutional factors play an intermediary, albeit crucial role in the successful development and implementation of stringent climate policies. An example is the general trust people have in their institutions leading to a deeper societal commitment to solve issues requiring collective action, with climate change representing the most burning and immediate problem demanding a coordinated effort.

The analysis specifically examines political regime types and corruption along with different aspects of societal and institutional trust. After presenting prevailing theories on climate awareness, an overview of published empirical works is provided to indicate the ‘state of the Weld' and discuss some open questions and current debates related to different theoretical approaches. By synthetizing a wide range of information from this dynamically evolving Weld, my objectives are to combine the results of numerous disciplines and provide a comprehensive overview that helps researchers and practitioners become familiar with this crucial area of scientific and policy relevance today, and to facilitate knowledge accumulation on this issue.