Strategies to mitigate climate change also improve quality of life

Strategies aimed at mitigating climate change - such as using renewable energy or improving energy efficiency - not only reduce harmful emissions but can also enhance quality of life through benefits such as better health and lower energy costs. This is the conclusion of a recent study by environmental psychologist Linda Steg and her colleagues.

The researchers analysed data collected in eighteen countries and interviewed residents of Brazil, China, and the Netherlands. They examined the effects of climate mitigation strategies on health, energy security, employment, income, and social equality.

The study found that various climate mitigation strategies can improve people’s well-being. In particular, strategies that focus on reducing energy and resource consumption or using them more efficiently appear to generate substantial benefits. Compared with measures that primarily focus on producing clean energy, these strategies provide advantages across a wider range of areas while achieving comparable reductions in emissions.

Participants generally expected climate strategies to improve their lives. Public support for climate policies also proved to be stronger than is often assumed. When participants were informed about the broader health and well-being benefits of climate action, their evaluations became even more positive.

The researchers conclude that, although climate mitigation strategies are often assumed to reduce quality of life, their findings suggest the opposite: such strategies can actually enhance it. This highlights the importance of taking a broader perspective on the impacts of climate policy. In addition to considering costs and emission reductions, policymakers should also take into account what climate measures mean for people’s well-being.