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Tailored information and the public support for carbon pricing in Germany

Author

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  • Schwarz, Antonia
  • Stünzi, Anna
  • Kaestner, Kathrin
  • Pahle, Michael
  • Sommer, Stephan

Abstract

Providing information about carbon pricing is widely considered to be key to increasing public support for it. A number of studies have analyzed such effects, but little attention has been paid to how changes to the design can enhance the effectiveness of information treatments. Typically, generic information with low affective appeal has been used. In contrast, this paper, drawing on recent research into the design of information provisions, employs a targeted and tailored approach to ensure high receptiveness. Utilizing novel German survey data, we examine whether video-based information tailored to individuals’ carbon pricing concerns outperforms generic information. Our results confirm that targeted and tailored information significantly increases support, primarily for respondents concerned about costs. However, the effect of tailored information concerning fairness and effectiveness is statistically not different from that of the generic control video. Nevertheless, it reduces strong opposition, providing valuable insights for policy acceptance. These findings suggest that integrating targeted communication strategies into climate policy design may help build broader policy tolerance and stability, though further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness beyond the specific context of this study.

Suggested Citation

  • Schwarz, Antonia & Stünzi, Anna & Kaestner, Kathrin & Pahle, Michael & Sommer, Stephan, 2026. "Tailored information and the public support for carbon pricing in Germany," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:241:y:2026:i:c:s0921800925003325
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108849
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    JEL classification:

    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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