Understanding public opinion and the role of information
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BORIS DOI
Subtitle
new insights into social acceptance of the Swiss energy transition
Abstract
This dissertation explores the factors influencing the social acceptance of energy policies and technologies in Switzerland, a country aiming for a transition towards more sustainable and renewable energy sources. Recognizing the importance of democratic legitimacy, the research is grounded in the principle that public opinion must be considered in policy-making. However, suboptimal public support—often due to lack of information—can hinder progress in addressing climate change. Based on Dahl’s (1989) notion of informed public opinion, this thesis investigates how targeted communication and project design can foster greater acceptance and involvement in the energy transition.
The dissertation consists of four empirical studies:
• Article 1 examines citizen-financed photovoltaic (PV) projects, focusing on tenants' acceptance and investment intentions. Using a conjoint and framing experiment, it finds that while project design has limited impact on investment willingness, tenants prefer projects with material reimbursement, local implementation, and public providers. Right-leaning individuals respond more positively to collective frames. The study highlights the importance of tailored project features and communication strategies to boost broader engagement.
• Article 2 builds on the same dataset, investigating how knowledge—both general and experiential—shapes acceptance. It finds that socio-political acceptance is higher among more educated and experienced individuals, though project design does not strongly influence actual investment amounts. Differences between education and experience groups reveal the need for more nuanced subgroup analyses and tailored outreach strategies.
• Article 3 evaluates the role of Voting Advice Applications (VAAs) in shaping voter opinions in real-world referenda. The study confirms that VAAs reduce voter indecision and can reinforce or even change vote intentions, especially among undecided or politically affiliated users. This suggests VAAs can support democratic engagement by increasing certainty and participation.
• Article 4 tests whether scientific information about environmental taxes affects willingness to pay. While effects for the overall sample are modest, significant increases are observed among the least educated, indicating that targeted information can reduce knowledge gaps and increase support for climate policies.
Overall, the dissertation provides actionable insights for policymakers: citizen-financed PV projects should be tailored to different target groups, VAAs can enhance democratic participation, and information campaigns can improve understanding and acceptance of environmental taxes. By using experimental and longitudinal designs, the research allows for causal interpretation and sheds light on heterogeneous effects across population segments. These findings contribute to both academic literature and practical policymaking aimed at achieving a socially accepted and inclusive energy transition in Switzerland.
The dissertation consists of four empirical studies:
• Article 1 examines citizen-financed photovoltaic (PV) projects, focusing on tenants' acceptance and investment intentions. Using a conjoint and framing experiment, it finds that while project design has limited impact on investment willingness, tenants prefer projects with material reimbursement, local implementation, and public providers. Right-leaning individuals respond more positively to collective frames. The study highlights the importance of tailored project features and communication strategies to boost broader engagement.
• Article 2 builds on the same dataset, investigating how knowledge—both general and experiential—shapes acceptance. It finds that socio-political acceptance is higher among more educated and experienced individuals, though project design does not strongly influence actual investment amounts. Differences between education and experience groups reveal the need for more nuanced subgroup analyses and tailored outreach strategies.
• Article 3 evaluates the role of Voting Advice Applications (VAAs) in shaping voter opinions in real-world referenda. The study confirms that VAAs reduce voter indecision and can reinforce or even change vote intentions, especially among undecided or politically affiliated users. This suggests VAAs can support democratic engagement by increasing certainty and participation.
• Article 4 tests whether scientific information about environmental taxes affects willingness to pay. While effects for the overall sample are modest, significant increases are observed among the least educated, indicating that targeted information can reduce knowledge gaps and increase support for climate policies.
Overall, the dissertation provides actionable insights for policymakers: citizen-financed PV projects should be tailored to different target groups, VAAs can enhance democratic participation, and information campaigns can improve understanding and acceptance of environmental taxes. By using experimental and longitudinal designs, the research allows for causal interpretation and sheds light on heterogeneous effects across population segments. These findings contribute to both academic literature and practical policymaking aimed at achieving a socially accepted and inclusive energy transition in Switzerland.
Date of Publication
2025
Year of graduation
2024
Theses Type
dissertation
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Ruprecht, Sophie |
Faculty/Graduate School
Institute
Access(Rights)
open.access
Primary OA Publication
true