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Carbon dioxide removal through ecosystem restoration: Public perceptions and political participation

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  • Kuhn, Annegret
  • Merk, Christine
  • Wunsch, Andrea

Abstract

We compare public perceptions of restoring different ecosystems to increase CO 2 uptake in Germany, through focus groups and a general population survey. Among focus group participants forests were highly popular, peatlands evoked negative associations, and seagrass was largely unknown. Nevertheless, the restoration of all ecosystems was viewed positively. We contrast these reactions to those of survey respondents who had not received additional information on restoration. They voiced narrower, less diverse opinions centering around afforestation. Further, focus group participants preferred expert-led restoration decisions, citing low trust in politicians’ technical competence. Contrary to common policy recommendations, also beyond the German context, participants did not emphasize the need of citizen participation and were not strongly concerned about land use conflicts or compensation of affected user groups. The results imply that the public underestimates the political complexity of negotiation processes in ecosystem governance, which are becoming increasingly relevant in the international policy landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuhn, Annegret & Merk, Christine & Wunsch, Andrea, 2025. "Carbon dioxide removal through ecosystem restoration: Public perceptions and political participation," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 318200, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:318200
    DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02063-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Merk, Christine & Liebe, Ulf & Meyerhoff, Jürgen & Rehdanz, Katrin, 2023. "German citizens’ preference for domestic carbon dioxide removal by afforestation is incompatible with national removal potential," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 270884, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
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    7. Merk, Christine & Grunau, Jonas & Riekhof, Marie-Catherine & Rickels, Wilfried, 2022. "The need for local governance of global commons: The example of blue carbon ecosystems," Kiel Working Papers 2201, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), revised 2022.
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