How Focusing on Local Benefits Can Build Broad Support for Climate Policies
Rotterdam, Friday, 17 July 2026.
New Dutch research shows building climate support requires replacing abstract global goals with tangible local benefits, as nearly two-thirds of citizens currently view climate policies as elitist.
Bridging the Climate Communication Divide
Cultural sociologist Willem de Koster, a professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam [1][3], highlights a severe disconnect in how climate measures are communicated. Nearly two-thirds of the Dutch population consists of “practically educated” citizens—those without a higher professional (HBO) or university (WO) degree [1]. This demographic frequently perceives sustainability initiatives as elitist projects designed by and for highly educated professionals [1]. Ironically, research indicates that low-income households typically have a smaller ecological footprint than wealthier citizens, who often live in larger homes, travel more frequently by air, and indirectly contribute to CO2 emissions through investment portfolios [1].
Decoding Public Perceptions Through Three Lenses
To understand this societal friction, de Koster and his colleagues Kjell Noordzij, Vivian Visser, and Jeroen van der Waal authored a chapter in the essay collection Vuurproef voor democratie for the Scientific Climate Council [1]. Their research outlines three distinct lenses through which practically-educated citizens view climate measures: the “Needs lens” (Behoeftelens), which evaluates policies based on financial, health, and comfort benefits; the “Community lens” (Gemeenschapslens), which focuses on preserving local social cohesion; and the “Doubt lens” (Twijfellens), which scrutinizes the feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions [1]. By understanding these frameworks, policymakers can restructure climate initiatives to align with public values without necessarily altering the core environmental goals [1].
Expanding the Scope of Sociological Research
This focus on the diverse meanings of climate change is part of an ongoing, long-term scientific effort. De Koster is currently leading a project funded by a prestigious Vici grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO), which is scheduled to run until 2030 [1]. Operating out of the Erasmus Institute on Culture and Stratification (EICS) within the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB) [4][5], the project aims to identify tailored communication strategies by examining the social origins of public climate attitudes [4][5]. On July 15, 2026, the institute published a job advertisement for a three-year, 0.8 FTE postdoctoral researcher to lead parallel quantitative studies in Italy, offering a gross monthly salary of €4,728 to €6,433 (for a full-time equivalent) [4][5].