Recent international and US-based polls show how much public opinion is behind a strong deal on climate change at Copenhagen. However, what policies would people accept to achieve those goals, and can we categorise people into different groups according to the types of policy they would accept?
We used cluster analysis on data from 8 attitudinal statements about 'green policy' from our Environmental Choices study, which generated 6 different groups. These groups can be considered to be on a spectrum of support for government 'green' policies. Below is a short description of these groups, leading with the most supportive, and ending with the least supportive.
1. SUPPORTERS
Supporters of all climate change policies - The most 'green' group, is supportive of all policy types - investment, regulation and carbon taxes.
2. REGULATORS
Supporters of strong regulation and green investment; against car taxes - 'Regulators' are the second most 'green' group; they believe that green policy should focus on strong regulation supported by green investment - but are resistant to higher car fuel taxes, and road pricing.
3. INVESTORS
Supporters of green investment; strongly against car taxes and air taxes - The third most 'green' group believe that green policy should focus on green investment - and are particularly strongly resistant to extra car taxes and flying taxes.
4. UNDECIDED
Mostly undecided; mildly pro-investment and mildly anti-car taxes - This fourth most 'green' group is currently not engaged with any of the different policy options tested. Without a reason to believe, in reality, people in this group are likely to resist regulation and carbon taxes.
5. NOT MY PROBLEM
Anti-car taxes; ambivalent of investment; some support for regulation - This fifth most 'green' group disagrees with car taxes, and is ambivalent about green investment. There is some agreement that airports should be restricted and coal power stations should not be built; perhaps because they see climate change as really a 'business problem'.
6. OPPOSERS
Disagreement with all climate change policies - The least 'green' group disagrees with all policy options - and they unanimously resist the idea of road pricing!
There is more analysis for Canada, UK and the USA on the Haddock site.
