Spatial perspective on perceived fairness of climate-related fuel tax increases

We explore the perceived fairness of fuel tax increases from a spatial perspective. Actions in transport sector are needed to meet climate change mitigation targets, but such policies may disproportionately impact rural and urban residents, leading to spatially varying experiences of injustice. Perceived fairness is the most important determinant of public opinion towards mitigation policies, but perceived fairness of these policies itself has been understudied. We combine our inquiry of perceived fairness regarding fuel tax increases with considerations of spatial justice. We explore, whether residential area type, region, and variables such as climate concern, trust in climate policies, political orientation and use of fossil-fuelled car, are associated with perceived fairness of increasing fuel tax, and whether there are regional differences in these variables. Data were collected via a survey in June 2022 in three regions with different characteristics in Finland: Helsinki, Finland Proper, and Northern Ostrobothnia. Our results reveal that residents in rural areas and sparsely populated regions perceive fuel tax increases as less fair. Climate concern, trust and political orientation were found to influence fairness perceptions. Moreover, climate concern and trust were lower in sparsely populated regions. Considerations of fairness perceptions are important for successful climate mitigation policy.