New international research shows that respect for the planet is not just an abstract ideal, but a concrete factor that helps determine how much priority people give to the environment and climate policy.
However, this influence appears to depend strongly on educational level and cultural context- with clear consequences for how societies address the climate challenge. The study was published in the scientific journal Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment.
Researchers Joop de Boer en Harry Aiking from the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam analyzed large-scale survey data from 38 European countries covering the period 2019–2024. Their study shows that people who endorse “respect for the planet” as a personal value are significantly more likely to advocate higher priority for environmental and climate issues - especially when they have a secondary or higher level of education.
Education strengthens social awareness
The results indicate that education plays a key role in translating values into political preferences. The relationship is particularly strong among people with tertiary education: they are more likely to link respect for the planet to the broader societal importance of a healthy living environment. This suggests that knowledge and understanding contribute to awareness that environmental issues have collective consequences.
Cultural context matters
In addition, the influence of this value is greater in Northwestern European countries. In these regions, a culture has historically developed in which individual responsibility is central. In such contexts, people are more likely to feel personally compelled to translate their values into political choices, such as support for climate policy.
Independent of political divides
Notably, the relationships found are largely independent of traditional political divisions, such as the left-right spectrum. Even in countries with strong political polarization, the link between respect for the planet and climate priority remains intact. This suggests that underlying values play an independent role in public support for climate measures.
Broader support for climate policy
The findings offer important insights for policymakers, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. They suggest that investing in education and awareness can help build broader support for climate policy. They also highlight the importance of cultural factors: strategies that appeal to personal responsibility may be more effective in certain regions.
Further research needed
The researchers emphasize that further study is necessary. For example, it is still unclear to what extent people see the planet as a coherent, “living” whole and view themselves as part of it. The precise role of education - and which forms of knowledge contribute most - also deserves further exploration.