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Do Chinese individuals believe in global climate change and why? An econometric analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Dai

    (University of Kassel)

  • Andreas Ziegler

    (University of Kassel)

  • Martin Kesternich

    (ZEW)

  • Andreas Löschel

    (ZEW)

Abstract

This paper examines the extent and the determinants of individual global climate change be-liefs. In contrast to former studies, it is focused on China due to its crucial role in global cli-mate policy and its responsibility as the worldwide biggest producer of CO2 emissions. The empirical analysis is based on unique data from a survey among more than 1000 individuals from five cities in China, namely Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Shenyang. In line with previous studies in other countries, our results suggest that the vast majority of al-most 90% of the Chinese respondents believe in the existence of global climate change, which seems to be a convenient basis for ambitious climate policy in China. Our econometric analy-sis reveals that the personal experience with extreme weather events (and particularly heat-waves) alone is already sufficient to increase global climate change beliefs, although conse-quential personal physical or financial damages lead to stronger effects. A rising number of extreme weather events and consequential personal damages in the future might thus further decrease climate change skepticism. Our estimation results additionally reveal that females as well as people in medium ages, with higher household incomes, a lower education, and from Chengdu or Shenyang are more skeptical with respect to global climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Dai & Andreas Ziegler & Martin Kesternich & Andreas Löschel, 2014. "Do Chinese individuals believe in global climate change and why? An econometric analysis," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201428, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
  • Handle: RePEc:mar:magkse:201428
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Vladimir Udalov & Jens Perret & Veronique Vasseur, 2017. "Environmental motivations behind individuals’ energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving behaviour: evidence from Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 481-499, July.
    2. P. Fabbri & A. Ninni, 2015. "Environmental Problems and Development Policies for Renewable Energy in BRIC Countries," Economics Department Working Papers 2015-EP02, Department of Economics, Parma University (Italy).
    3. Ziegler, Andreas, 2015. "On the relevance of ideology and environmental values for climate change beliefs, climate policy support, and climate protection activities: An empirical cross country analysis," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 112918, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Global climate change; beliefs and skepticism; extreme weather events; China; micro-econometric analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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