Relatively many in our European neighboring countries believe in climate change. But why not change work faster? Some Swedish sociology researchers asked this. Their study showed that countries such as Sweden that have high confidence in the political system and thus also high confidence that tax on fossil fuels is a good method for reducing emissions.

But that is not the case for all of Europe.

Because although 78 percent of Europeans believe in research that shows that we humans have caused climate change, only 33 percent support increased taxes on fossil fuels.

Politics more important than technology

The study is based on survey responses from over 42,000 people in 23 European countries.

"Recent studies in the social sciences, and especially this one, show that our biggest challenge in coping with the climate crisis is political, not technical," says Larissa Basso, a researcher on sustainable political systems at Stockholm University.

In countries with low political confidence, such as Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain, it does not matter if people believe in climate change or not.

Support for fossil taxes is weak both among climate skeptics and among those who believe in research.

Reliable systems important

But in countries with high political confidence, such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, those who believe in climate research are more likely to support taxes on fuels such as gasoline, coal and diesel.

The researchers conclude that trust in the political system is more important than ever in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

- Key building blocks for effective climate work are that politicians in general can be trusted. That they are reliable, competent and non-corrupt and that the state institutions are impartial and effective, says Joakim Kulin, one of the authors of the study.

The study is published in the journal Global Environmental Change.