Fossil fuel reliance and public support for climate change mitigation: Evidence from 106 countries

Fossil fuel reliant countries contribute disproportionately to climate change, yet little is known about how nations’ fossil fuel reliance relates to public support for climate change mitigation. A cross-national study (N = 102,824) across 106 countries and six continents showed that citizens of nations with greater fossil fuel reliance were less likely to believe that climate change should be a priority for their government, more supportive of continued fossil fuel use, and less supportive of increased renewable energy use. Climate denial and lower worry about climate change mediated the associations between nations' fossil fuel reliance and citizens' mitigation support, while economic concerns about mitigation did not mediate these relationships. Overall, these findings show that fossil fuel reliance is linked to reduced climate policy support. This suggests that fossil fuel interests may shape public opinion and underscores the need for a transition that acknowledges citizens’ concerns about phasing out fossil fuels.