Unterstützung radikaler Klimapolitik in Deutschland Negativer Affekt, persönliche Norm, politische Orientierung und Geschlecht als Prädiktoren für nicht-aktivistisches öffentliches Umweltverhalten

Broad political support for socio-ecological transformation is needed in the face of the climate crisis. This study investigates non-activist public pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) in the form of (a) support of radical climate policies, (b) sympathies, and (c) voting intentions for a newly founded climate party in Germany (Klimaliste) in relation to socio-demographics (age, gender, income, and education level), environmental and social psychological predictors (personal norm, environmental identity, collective efficacy beliefs, and political orientation) as well as affective predictors (fear, anger, guilt, and positive affect). Stepwise multiple regression analyses with data from an online survey (N = 622) showed significant influence of female gender and personal norm on all three types of non-activist public PEB. Furthermore, support of radical climate politics was predicted by an economically social and societally progressive political orientation, while Klimaliste sympathies were related to an economically social political orientation. Moreover, negative affect, consisting of fear, anger, and guilt, could explain variance beyond the sociodemographic, environmental and social psychological variables in all three types of non-activist public PEB. Additionally, party political attitudes were relevant, with Green Party sympathisers expressing strongest support. The results provide initial starting points to promote support for radical climate policies and advance sustainability transitions.