2022-02-03-IMF-Impact_of_COVID-19_on_Attitudes_to_Climate_Change_and_Support_for_Climate_Policies_22页_1mb

Methodology
The study analyzes data from a 2021 survey of 14,514 individuals across 16 major economies (representing 70% of global GDP). Using probit and logit regressions, it assesses how COVID-19 experiences affected attitudes toward climate change and support for climate policies, controlling for demographic factors.

Key Findings

• COVID-19 increased concern for climate change by approximately 8 percentage points among individuals directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic's health impacts.
• Support for green recovery policies rose significantly (about 4 percentage points) following pandemic experiences.
• However, this support decreased when individuals faced income or job loss, highlighting a trade-off between economic stability and climate action.
• Effects varied: The increase in climate concern was more pronounced in emerging market economies, while green recovery support was driven by factors like education and political alignment.
• Financial shocks negatively impacted support for climate policies, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding livelihoods for effective climate policy implementation.

Conclusion
The pandemic acted as a catalyst for heightened climate awareness, creating policy opportunities for advancing climate mitigation, yet immediate economic protection remains critical to sustain public support.