Public opposition to coal-fired power in emerging economies

Meir Alkon, Jennifer Hadden and Mingyang Su

Energy Policy, 2025, vol. 203, issue C

Abstract: Constructing new coal fired power plants presents significant climate, ecological, health, and economic risks. This presents sometimes acute tradeoffs for leaders in emerging economies, where rapid economic and population growth are driving large increases in electricity generation demand. Against this backdrop, combining a novel conjoint experiment with qualitative interviews, we find widespread public opposition to coal-fired power. We also find that this opposition is politically consequential, diminishing support for politicians who support coal-fired power and increasing expressed propensity to engage in social protest. These findings inform our understanding of the social reception of coal infrastructure, as well as the political implications of energy development in key emerging economies.

Keywords: Public opinion; Social reception; Protest; Coal; Emerging economies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:203:y:2025:i:c:s0301421525001028

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2025.114595

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