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Understanding the Resistance to Carbon Taxes: A Case Study of Sweden

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  • Ewald, Jens
  • Sterner, Thomas

    (Resources for the Future)

  • Sterner, Erik

Abstract

Although carbon taxes are generally well accepted in the countries where they have been implemented to lower carbon emissions, there is still public resistance to raising them. We study attitudes toward carbon taxation and other environmental policy instruments in Sweden. We survey a national sample of the population as well as members of a large organization that protests against fuel taxes. Our results show that educational level, rural versus urban domicile, political orientation, and especially trust in government affect opinions on carbon taxes; household income does not appear to matter. Lack of trust in government and lack of belief in the Pigouvian mechanism are especially important motivations for protesters’ opposition. When asked about the use of carbon tax revenue, some respondents support revenue refunding (uniform or progressive), but more people support using it for climate mitigation investments.

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  • Ewald, Jens & Sterner, Thomas & Sterner, Erik, 2021. "Understanding the Resistance to Carbon Taxes: A Case Study of Sweden," RFF Working Paper Series 21-18, Resources for the Future.
    • Handle: RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-21-18
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