A green divide? Climate policy support and its rural geography in Europe

Opposition to the green transition is often attributed to the direct costs of climate policies, with particularly vulnerable individuals perceived as more resistant. While recent studies suggest rural Europeans may be more adversely affected by these policies, their attitudes have largely been overlooked. This article investigates whether, and in which context, rural Europeans are indeed less supportive of climate policies. It proposes that attitudes vary depending on the specific policy and its spatial effects. Drawing on survey data from nine European countries and an additional analysis in France, the study examines the urban–rural divide across a wide range of climate policies. Findings indicate significant differences in support for policies placing higher concentrated or cumulative costs on rural residents as well as those potentially generating other grievances, rooted in perceived cultural conflicts or symbolic lifestyle concerns. Climate politics must therefore account for the diverse geographic and contextual factors shaping policy attitudes.