Who supports urban climate adaptation? Climate literacy, age and urban context in Polish cities

This study examines how climate literacy, urban context and socio-demographic factors shape pro-environmental behaviours and expressed needs for urban climate adaptation in Polish cities. Using survey data from 1029 respondents, we estimate a set of ordinary least squares models for multiple behavioural and need-related outcomes. Robustness checks employ alternative index constructions based on principal component analysis and instrumental variable estimations. The results show that climate literacy is positively associated with pro-environmental behaviours and adaptation-related needs in baseline models, although these relationships weaken under instrumental variable estimation, which calls for caution in causal interpretation. Urban context, measured by the Healthy Cities Index and an alternative liveability classification, exhibits weaker and outcome-specific effects. By contrast, age emerges as a more consistent predictor, with older respondents more strongly rejecting hardscape-dominated and consumption-based responses to urban climate adaptation. Overall, the findings highlight the relevance of individual-level drivers in shaping urban climate adaptation needs.