Why do you support carbon neutrality?: A look at the South Korean public's primary reason for supporting carbon neutrality and its associations with support for carbon neutrality and new renewable energy expansion

Abstract

The motivations underlying global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality are multifaceted and consider both environmental and economic factors. Therefore, an individual's primary reason for supporting carbon neutrality can be largely either environmental or economic. This study examines two aspects: (1) whether the degree to which individuals support carbon neutrality depends on their primary reason for supporting it; and (2) whether the degree to which they support the expansion of new renewable energy sources (a key factor in achieving carbon neutrality) depends on the same primary reason. Analyzing a nationwide survey sample from South Korea, we find that individuals who support carbon neutrality primarily for an economic reason (i.e., those who believe that aligning with the global trend toward carbon neutrality is the primary reason South Korea should pursue carbon neutrality) are less supportive of carbon neutrality than those who consider environmental protection to be their primary reason. Furthermore, the former group is less supportive of new renewable energy expansion than the latter. These findings can contribute to the formulation of public communication strategies to promote carbon neutrality policies.