Think Globally, Act Locally: The Determinants of Local Policymakers’ Support for Climate Policy

Despite the significant threat posed by climate change, it remains a polarizing issue and thus efforts at the federal level to combat it have achieved only limited success. This dynamic has increased the importance of environmental initiatives at the local level, where the likelihood of adopting policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is greater.

This project examines: (1) the factors that make local policymakers more or less likely to support climate policies; (2) the areas where elite and public opinion agree and where they diverge; and (3) the public’s second-order beliefs about the preferences of local policymakers. In order to do so, the researchers conduct a conjoint experiment leveraging a unique sample of local policymakers that includes mayors, county executives, and council members; carry out a follow-up experiment on the general public that replicates and extends the initial study; and convene a focus group of local policymakers.

Grant Result

Although Congress seems unable to act, enough states, cities and counties are mobilizing to make a dent in U.S. carbon emissions.

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Sabrina Arias

Doctoral Student

Sabrina Arias is a Ph.D. student studying international relations in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.

Joshua Schwartz

Joshua Schwartz is a Ph.D. student studying international relations in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.

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