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Determinants of willingness to bear the costs for environmental protection: Insights from cross-country survey data

Author

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  • Doganoglu, Toker
  • Grzybowski, Lukasz
  • Rachubik, Joanna

Abstract

Using data from the 2020 International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), Environment IV module from 26 countries on about 29,183 individuals, we investigate the influence of socio-demographic factors, consumer behavior, environmental beliefs, opinions, and attitudes on the willingness to pay higher prices and higher taxes, as well as the willingness to reduce their standard of living of respondents in support of environmental protection. The findings reveal significant variations in willingness to bear financial burdens for environmental protection across different countries and socio-economic groups. Our analysis highlights the critical role of education, religion, political affiliation, and trust in institutions in shaping environmental attitudes and behaviors. Moreover, after controlling for individual characteristics, significant international disparities persist. Many European countries, despite their progressive environmental policies, show lower willingness for higher taxes, which may be due to already high tax burdens. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring policy communications to different socio-economic groups, emphasizing both the immediate and long-term benefits of environmental protection to enhance acceptance among various demographic segments.

Suggested Citation

  • Doganoglu, Toker & Grzybowski, Lukasz & Rachubik, Joanna, 2026. "Determinants of willingness to bear the costs for environmental protection: Insights from cross-country survey data," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:241:y:2026:i:c:s0921800925003593
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108876
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies

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