Scorching doubts: unveiling climate change skepticism among gulf cooperation council residents
Creators: name: Kaya, Ozgur
name: Florkowski, Wojciech J.
name: Kaya, Ilker
name: Contu, Davide
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2025
Subjects: subject: Neuroscience
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Science Policy
subject: Mental Health

description: As climate change poses an escalating global threat, resistance to mitigation and adaptation efforts remains widespread. Public reluctance to support climate policies may stem not only from skepticism about the reality of climate change but also from doubts regarding its human causes, potential harm, or the costs associated with mitigation and adaptation measures. While climate change beliefs vary across regions, limited scholarly attention has been devoted to public skepticism in the Arabian Gulf, particularly in resource-dependent nations with large transient expatriate populations – a defining characteristic of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in this region. This study investigates the factors influencing climate change skepticism in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), two key GCC members. Using primary survey data, we examine the role of socio-demographic characteristics, resident status, and personal beliefs in shaping public opinion on climate change. Our findings reveal that skepticism varies by age, education, gender, income, religious affiliation, residency and ethnicity. Our findings highlight the complex nature of climate skepticism in the UAE and KSA, offering insights for policymakers. Strengthening climate communication strategies, fostering public engagement, and aligning sustainability goals with public perceptions can enhance support for climate initiatives. Targeted awareness campaigns and policy interventions aimed at reducing skepticism may facilitate a successful implementation of climate efforts, ensuring long-term environmental and economic resilience in the region. Climate change skepticism in the UAE and KSA varies by gender, residency, education, and demographics. Tailored policies could address these differences, to reduce skepticism and foster support for climate policies.Pro-environmental views and climate change awareness reduce skepticism. Public campaigns promoting clean energy benefits and offering incentives can shift perceptions and encourage sustainability.The large expatriate populations in the UAE and KSA require climate policies that include non-citizens, who contribute substantially to the workforce and societal dynamics. Policymakers should engage these communities to understand their views and involve them in climate discussions. Climate change skepticism in the UAE and KSA varies by gender, residency, education, and demographics. Tailored policies could address these differences, to reduce skepticism and foster support for climate policies. Pro-environmental views and climate change awareness reduce skepticism. Public campaigns promoting clean energy benefits and offering incentives can shift perceptions and encourage sustainability. The large expatriate populations in the UAE and KSA require climate policies that include non-citizens, who contribute substantially to the workforce and societal dynamics. Policymakers should engage these communities to understand their views and involve them in climate discussions.