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Walking the talk? Green politicians and pollution patterns

Author

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  • Koetter, Michael
  • Popov, Alexander

Abstract

Exploiting three decades of detailed regional data for Germany, we find that when the Green Party is successful at the polls, local hazardous emissions decline. The level of political representation matters, too. Green politicians’ gaining influence at county level is followed largely by a decline in air pollutants that have an immediate adverse health effect. In contrast, when the Green party joins the state government, only greenhouse gas emissions that affect the welfare of future generations via climate change decline. The primary mechanism to achieve lower emissions appears to be a reduction in output, rather than more efficient energy use. JEL Classification: D72, Q53

Suggested Citation

  • Koetter, Michael & Popov, Alexander, 2025. "Walking the talk? Green politicians and pollution patterns," Working Paper Series 3155, European Central Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20253155
    Note: 861282
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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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