The Effect of Social Recognition on Support for Climate Change Mitigation Measures

Abstract

Social recognition is introduced as an explanatory factor for support for climate change mitigation measures to complement already existing research. Drawing on social identity theory, it is established that respect emanating from being part of a generation and social class increases support for climate policies through positive influence on self-assessed financial situation, trust in political institutions, generalized trust, and solidarity. Considering the costs and benefits of climate policies, it is assumed that the importance of respect varies between generations and social classes. Analyses are based on data which were collected via online survey (n = 3046) in September and October 2022 that are representative of the German resident population. Results from linear regressions and structural equation modeling corroborate that the influence of social recognition varies between generations and that it operates through the suggested mechanisms. The most important of these mechanisms is the strengthening of solidarity and trust in political institutions by social recognition.

Sustainable Geoinformatic Approaches to Insurance for Small-Scale Farmers in Colombia

“…This research unlocks many opportunities for farmers, insurers, and credit associations in many ways. Specifically, when suggesting that insured individuals (in this research, farmers) contribute to the claim verification process, this creates social recognition and thus contributes to institutional trust and a sustainable pro-environmental attitude towards climate change policies [23]. In return, the InsurTech mobile application can make recommendations such as building a glasshouse or installing a new irrigation system that is suitable for the soil of a specific area, which is known as "digital nudging" [47] and farmers would respond to that positively.…”

“…The impacts of climate change are greater with small-scale farmers because they typically do not have the capacity to cope, due to their limited resources and the cost barrier that they face if they seek farm insurance [6]. This can be explained by "social identity theory," which asserts that generations and social classes can impact climate policies [23]. Meanwhile, the development of an agricultural insurance system is a complex and multifaceted process, where production system, crop types, farm size, farm location, data availability, sales channels and other risk factors make it difficult for insurers to offer the right policy and set the right premium [24].…”