Social acceptance of climate policies: Insights from Austria

Social acceptance of climate protection policies is essential in order to achieve national climate targets. This study analyses the social acceptance of several climate protection policies that are currently discussed in Austria, which have been identified as key measures for the National Energy and Climate Plan. To this end, a nationwide quota-representative survey was conducted with 1500 eligible voters with Austrian citizenship. This study breaks down climate policies into a more detailed and nuanced range of policies beyond the norm in the international literature. The results show a high level of support for key climate protection measures among the Austrian population. The majority of the analysed policies receive more support than objection. Only measures relating to speed limits and the prohibition of new combustion engine vehicles show increased objection. Furthermore, education is found to be the strongest and most consistent predictor of social acceptance of climate policies.