Willingness to pay for urban heat Island mitigation through increased tree coverage: A contingent valuation study in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana

Urban areas in Ghana are increasingly affected by the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon, driven by rapid urbanization and declining green spaces. This study examined public perceptions, awareness, and willingness to pay (WTP) for urban heat island mitigation through increased tree coverage in Accra and Kumasi. The study utilized a cross-sectional mixed-methods approach and incorporated the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to assess respondents WTP to mitigate the UHI. A structured questionnaire was administered to a total of 240 participants to gather their responses. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents acknowledged rising urban temperatures and viewed urban trees as important in temperature regulation. Approximately 88.75 % of respondents expressed willingness to pay for improved tree coverage, with a mean WTP of GHȼ26.78 (=$2.04, May 2025 exchange rate). Factors such as age, household size, and occupation negatively and significantly influenced WTP, while income had a positive effect. However, some respondents stated unemployment, mistrust in fund use, and poor tree maintenance as key barriers to contributing financially. These findings highlight the potential for citizen-supported financing mechanisms to enhance urban greening initiatives. Integrating such willingness into urban policy can strengthen climate resilience, support nature-based solutions, and advance global sustainability commitments, especially SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).