European Grean Deal
The European Union (EU) is pursuing full independence from fossil fuels and aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050. The initiative is called the European Green Deal and expects that by 2030, EU member states will reduce greenhouse gases by 55 percent.
The implementation of the European Green Deal requires technological changes, a new consumption model, and crucially, the support of the European governments and citizens.
National identity and pro-environmental attitudes
A better understanding of the relationship between national identity, environmental attitudes, and policy support may help national governments to develop effective pro-environmental action plans.
Researchers from SWPS University, in collaboration with academics from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the University of Waikato in New Zealand, investigated the extent to which strong societal support for the EU’s climate policy and alternative energy sources was linked with the level of national identity declared by citizens. Results of their research were published in PLOS Climate, an open-access journal that furthers understandings of climatic patterns, processes, impacts, and solutions.
Previous research indicates that, on the one hand, strong national identity may motivate mitigation actions, for example in New Zealand, where close to 90 percent of the population declare that pro-environmental attitudes are a part of their national identity.
On the other hand, strong national identity does not necessarily translate to stronger willingness to introduce mitigation solutions. When national identity is linked to dependence on traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels (e.g. coal in Poland), which are perceived as part of a traditional national image, the process of energy transition may be seen as externally imposed.
What is national (collective) narcissism?
The researchers considered two forms of national identity. The first can be defined as “secure national identification”, which is characterized by strong bonds and solidarity with members of one’s own group and satisfaction from being part of that group. The second can be defined as “national (collective) narcissism”. National narcissism is a belief in in-group greatness that is underappreciated by others. Researchers indicate that unfulfilled individual needs, such as low feelings of control and low self-esteem, may underpin collective narcissism.
While secure national identity implies satisfaction from membership in a group and feelings of solidarity with one’s compatriots, national (collective) narcissism means an unconditional belief in a national group’s greatness, which requires external recognition. We assumed that, contrary to the secure national identification, national narcissism will be negatively linked with support for solutions that mitigate the effects of climate change, because such initiatives do not provide a direct indication that others recognize our greatness and respect us, which means they do not meet key psychological needs of national narcissists.
Cisłak-Wójcik, Aleksandra
Principal Investigator
Role in the Faculty
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Role in the Department
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Specialization
psychologist
First and last name
Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcik
Academic degree or title
Ph.D. / Associate Professor
Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Position
profesor uczelni
Role in the university
Vice-Rector for Research
Role in the Research Center
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Ph.D. / Associate Professor Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcikpsychologist
Enhancing national environmental image – how to convince the undecided
The researchers analyzed data from two extensive surveys conducted in Poland with national quota samples of over 1,000 participants/each, (representative for age, gender, and education). They measured the level of national narcissism, national identity, and support for climate policy concerning the introduction of the EU’s Green Deal and the support for investment in the development of alternative energy sources.
The results of the first study indicate that the secure national identity is positively linked to the support for the development of renewable energy sources and the EU’s Green Deal. In contrast, national narcissism is negatively linked to support for pro-environmental policy and development of renewable energy sources and positively linked to support for fossil fuels as a source of energy. Interestingly, the relationship between national narcissism and support for the development of nuclear energy was not significant, and only a weak relationship between right-wing political orientation and support for nuclear energy was observed. These results indicate that the discourse concerning nuclear power has not been politicized so far.
The second study shows that the support for pro-environmental policy depends on the amount of funding earmarked for initiatives aimed at improving environmental image of a country. The researchers explain that individuals who manifest a higher level of national narcissism are more willing to support initiatives aimed at improving the country’s pro-environmental image as this satisfies their psychological need for boosting their self-esteem. At the same time, those with a higher level of secure national identification prefer allocating less funds to marketing campaigns, in favor of spending the money on genuine pro-environmental initiatives.
The results have also practical implications as they show that psychological needs play a role in shaping support for public policies concerning the pursuit of climate neutrality. They suggest how political support could be garnered among those who otherwise would not be keen on supporting policies “merely” aimed at mitigating climate change. Effective implementation of a climate mitigating agenda depends on showing how the policy meets the needs of both groups.
Cisłak-Wójcik, Aleksandra
Principal Investigator
Role in the Faculty
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Role in the Department
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Role in the Institute
{"funkcja-w-instytucie0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Institute of Psychology"}}
Specialization
psychologist
First and last name
Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcik
Academic degree or title
Ph.D. / Associate Professor
Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Position
profesor uczelni
Role in the university
Vice-Rector for Research
Role in the Research Center
{"funkcja-w-centrum0":{"Funkcja":"","\u0141\u0105cznik":"","Nazwa w mianowniku":"Center for Research on Social Relations"}}
Ph.D. / Associate Professor Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcikpsychologist
"Our findings emphasize how national identity plays a crucial role in promoting collective action which is required to tackle the climate crisis", adds Professor Taciano Milfont from the University of Waikato (New Zealand), a co-author of the article."