Attitudes of European Citizens Towards Climate Change: A Gender Analysis

Authors

  • Maria José Palma Lampreia Dos-Santos ESCS-IPL and DINÂMIA´CET-ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1992-0419
  • Fernando Mata CISAS—Centre for Research and Development in Agri-Food Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial Nun’Álvares, 34, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5687-7114

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ecmlg.20.1.3094

Keywords:

Climate Change;, Gender Attitudinal Statement;, Mitigation;, Willingness, Sdgs.

Abstract

The present paper analyses attitudes and perceptions regarding climate change (CC) among European citizens, emphasizing their pivotal role in fostering public engagement and endorsement towards the advancement of mitigatory measures and sustainable lifestyles in accordance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This study delves into the degree of concern among European citizens regarding CC and their inclination towards assuming personal accountability in its alleviation, scrutinizing these facets through the lens of gender attitudes. Utilizing data from the European Social Survey and information on attitudes and perceptions pertaining to CC, the analysis incorporates various variables encompassing socio-economic status, demographics, individual perceptions of societal dynamics, and governmental policies. Employing econometric methodologies, the results confirm that individuals exhibiting trust in scientific authority manifest heightened concerns towards CC. Moreover, those expressing contentment with national governance display augmented levels of concern regarding CC. Gender differentials are also discernible, with females exhibiting greater apprehension towards CC compared to males. Furthermore, advanced age and higher educational attainment correlate with heightened levels of CC concern. Additional findings indicate that females tend to exhibit greater proclivity towards assuming self-responsibility, while individuals harbouring trust in scientific authority evince heightened levels of personal accountability, particularly when content with economic stability and the efficacy of the country's healthcare system. Additionally, older individuals displaying trust in scientific expertise tend to exhibit greater proclivity towards assuming personal responsibility. The findings underscore the imperative of comprehending the gendered ramifications of climate change and advocating for collective endeavours to combat this pervasive global challenge.

Author Biography

Fernando Mata, CISAS—Centre for Research and Development in Agri-Food Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial Nun’Álvares, 34, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Fernando Mata has an academic background in Agronomy and Animal Production (Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal) and has done postgraduate studies in Applied Maths at the same University, and Pedagogy for Higher Education at the University of the West of England, UK. Bringing together the skills gained while studying Maths and Animal Science made him to evolve into an Animal Welfare Epidemiologist, the topic of his Doctorate in Veterinary Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. Professionally he started as a dairy farmer and later went into academia. He has lecturing experiences in Portugal (Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre) and in the UK (University of the West of England, Newcastle University, Greenwich University, and Wrexham Glyndwr University). At the moment, he is fully focused on research at the Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability (CISAS) at the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC) Portugal. Fernando is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE), a Registered Animal Scientist with the British Society of Animal Science, and a Member and a Certified Biologist with the Royal Society of Biology. Apart from animal welfare epidemiology, Fernando is interested in sustainable animal production, animal performance, and sustainable food production in general.

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Published

2024-11-13

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2024): Proceedings of the 20th European Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance

Section

Academic Papers