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Are populist parties systematically more sceptical about climate change? Evidence from an Expert Survey

Comparative Politics
Populism
Climate Change
Political Ideology
Survey Research
Robert A. Huber
Universität Salzburg
Robert A. Huber
Universität Salzburg

Abstract

Populism is often cited as an essential challenge to far-reaching climate action in Europe. The evidence is particularly strong when it comes to right-wing populist parties. For left-wing populist parties, the empirical evidence is more mixed, sometimes suggesting that these parties are more progressive on climate action. But is this so? I challenge this notion and argue that populism, irrespective of the thick ideology of political parties, is associated with more sceptical views on climate change policy and climate science. In order to test this, I rely on expert survey data of more than 300 parties from 31 European countries. The findings generally support the notion that populism and climate sceptic positions are associated on a party level. Left-wing populists are less sceptical than right-wing populists but increased populism also undermines support for climate action and science.