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The effect of information on public support for increased carbon taxes on transport fuels

Author

Listed:
  • Pyddoke, Roger

    (Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI))

  • From, Emma

    (Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI))

  • Björklund, Gunilla

    (Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI))

  • Andersson, Henrik

    (Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI))

Abstract

This study examines how information about the effects of increased fuel taxes on fuel consumption, and with the possibility of compensating rural inhabitants (who use their cars more), impact the acceptance of fuel taxes and the psychological nature of the acceptance. Using a stratified survey in Sweden we analyze the support for increased carbon taxes for fuels. We find that 16 to 27 percent of the respondents support the proposed policy. A prime reason for this low support appears to be that most Swedes do not believe that higher fuel prices through taxation will lead to lower CO2 emissions from road transport. Equity concerns have also been shown to be a major objection against such tax increases, with a strong correlation between equity concerns and non-support for the tax increase. Our results suggest that neither information about the expected effect from taxation on emissions, nor the potential for redistribution, had an effect on the support for the taxes. When controlling for treatment, socioeconomic variables and demographic variables, the psychological variables showed that the respondents willing to support the increased fuel tax also had a positive attitude towards the tax, and a strong belief of their capacity to perform the behavior, and also a belief that supporting the tax is up to them.

Suggested Citation

  • Pyddoke, Roger & From, Emma & Björklund, Gunilla & Andersson, Henrik, 2024. "The effect of information on public support for increased carbon taxes on transport fuels," Working Papers 2024:8, Swedish National Road & Transport Research Institute (VTI).
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:vtiwps:2024_008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eliasson, Jonas & Pyddoke, Roger & Swärdh, Jan-Erik, 2018. "Distributional effects of taxes on car fuel, use, ownership and purchases," Economics of Transportation, Elsevier, vol. 15(C), pages 1-15.
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    3. Stefano Carattini & Maria Carvalho & Sam Fankhauser, 2018. "Overcoming public resistance to carbon taxes," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(5), September.
    4. Sara Maestre-Andrés & Stefan Drews & Jeroen van den Bergh, 2020. "Perceived fairness and public acceptability of carbon pricing: a review of the literature," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(9), pages 1186-1204, July.
    5. Kallbekken, Steffen & Garcia, Jorge H. & Korneliussen, Kristine, 2013. "Determinants of public support for transport taxes," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 67-78.
    6. Schuitema, Geertje & Steg, Linda & Forward, Sonja, 2010. "Explaining differences in acceptability before and acceptance after the implementation of a congestion charge in Stockholm," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 99-109, February.
    7. Sara Maestre-Andrés & Stefan Drews & Ivan Savin & Jeroen Bergh, 2021. "Carbon tax acceptability with information provision and mixed revenue uses," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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