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The effect of temperature experiences on climate adaptation policy prioritization: Evidence from the European Union

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  • Heckenhahn, Jonas

Abstract

As climate change intensifies, societies face more frequent and severe heatwaves, while cold episodes also continue to occur. This study investigates how heat and cold anomalies and extremes influence EU citizens' support for national climate adaptation policies-both relative to mitigation measures and in absolute terms. To address these questions, this study links large-scale cross-sectional preference data from the 2024 European Investment Bank Climate Survey with high-resolution ERA5 climate data. The analyses reveal that experiencing extreme heat and positive temperature anomalies significantly increases adaptation support, especially in relative terms, aligning with the construal matching premise rooted in the psychological distance framework. In contrast, cold exposure reduces absolute adaptation support and increases people's relative mitigation focus. Overall, these findings underscore the role of temperature experiences in shaping climate policy preferences and, as extreme weather worsens globally, highlight the need for targeted climate communication that balances immediate adaptation needs with essential long-term mitigation targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Heckenhahn, Jonas, 2025. "The effect of temperature experiences on climate adaptation policy prioritization: Evidence from the European Union," Ruhr Economic Papers 1155, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:319074
    DOI: 10.4419/96973339
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maria Rubio Juan & Melanie Revilla, 2021. "Support for mitigation and adaptation climate change policies: effects of five attitudinal factors," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 26(6), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Christina Demski & Stuart Capstick & Nick Pidgeon & Robert Gennaro Sposato & Alexa Spence, 2017. "Experience of extreme weather affects climate change mitigation and adaptation responses," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 140(2), pages 149-164, January.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate change; heatwaves; cold extremes; climate adaptation; climate change mitigation; climate policy preferences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • 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
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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