Norwegian mayoral awareness of and attitudes towards climate change

Abstract

The willingness of local politicians to implement measures for curbing greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to emerging conditions is essential for successful climate change policies. This article reports findings from a survey of attitudes amongst Norwegian mayors, who prove to be fairly well informed about, and have confidence in, the climate change message. They think that Norway should do more to curb emissions, and that the municipal level should have a stronger role in policy design, but the central government should pay the costs. Most mayors favour a reduction in car driving, but have mixed opinions about jobs and environmental concerns, potentially causing tensions in policy-making. Mayors with an environmental education, representing left-wing parties, and from central rather than peripheral areas contribute to a more supportive attitude towards climate change policies.