Who supports which low-carbon transport policies? Characterizing heterogeneity among Canadian citizens

Zoe Long, Shelby Kitt and Jonn Axsen

Energy Policy, 2021, vol. 155, issue C

Abstract: Citizen support is considered important for successful climate policy to be implemented. We examine how support varies by policy type and citizen characteristics, focusing on nine climate policies relating to transport, including carbon taxes, financial and non-financial incentives for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), and regulations (for fuels, vehicle emissions, and ZEVs). Citizen response to each policy was collected via a representative sample of Canadian citizens (n = 1552) in a 2019 survey. Support is high for vehicles emissions and low-carbon fuel standards, ZEV subsidies, investment in public charging infrastructure, and education campaigns (64%–77% support). Support is lower for carbon taxes (27%–42%), HOV lane access for ZEVs (49%), and ZEV mandates (48%–57%). Exploratory factor analysis indicates that the nine policies correlate into five policy types: “supply-focused regulations” (vehicle emissions and low-carbon fuel standards), “demand-focused initiatives” (ZEV subsidies, charger deployment, and education campaigns), carbon tax, HOV lane access for ZEVs, and ZEV mandate. Cluster analysis then identifies three groups of respondents, those who are: 1) “Universally Supportive” of the policies (34% of sample), 2) “Supportive Except Carbon Tax” (34%), and 3) “Mostly Opposing” (33%). Citizens in these clusters statistically differ in terms of values, environmental concern, age, education, and region.

Keywords: Climate policy; Public support; Zero emissions vehicles; Electric vehicles; Survey; Transport policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:155:y:2021:i:c:s0301421521001713

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112302

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