Populism and Climate Politics
Summary
Populism, characterised by an appeal to “the people” against perceived “corrupt elites,” has become a salient force shaping climate discourse and policy around the world. Populist movements draw on socio-economic grievances, nationalist sentiments and anti-establishment rhetoric to contest technical and often abstract climate measures. Right-wing variants frequently cast climate action as an elitist imposition that threatens jobs, energy affordability and national sovereignty, while some left-wing strands deploy populist frames to demand bolder redistribution and environmental justice. These competing narratives influence electoral outcomes, legislative debates and regulatory processes, producing both moments of rapid policy ambition and waves of obstruction or backlash. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for designing inclusive communication strategies, anticipating resistance to hard measures such as carbon pricing or efficiency standards, and fostering coalitions capable of sustaining long-term decarbonisation. As populist actors gain ground in diverse contexts—from advanced democracies to peripheral economies—the interplay between emotion-driven mobilisation and evidence-based policymaking emerges as a central challenge for global climate governance.
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Populism and Climate Politics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in populism and climate politics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Populism: A political approach dividing society into “pure people” versus “corrupt elites,” claiming to represent the general will.
Climate obstruction: Collective actions or discursive strategies aimed at delaying, weakening or reversing climate policy implementation.
Nationalist ideology: A belief system emphasising national sovereignty and identity, often linked to scepticism of international environmental agreements.
Green transition: The systemic shift from fossil-fuel dependence towards renewable energy sources and sustainable practices.
Discursive framing: The strategic construction of narratives to influence public perception and policy debates.
References
- Climate obstruction at work: Right-wing populism and the German heating law. Energy Research & Social Science (2025).
- Ecology for the rich? Class aspects of the green transition and the threat of right-wing populism as a reaction to its costs in Poland. Sustainability Science Practice and Policy (2024).
- Nationalist ideology, rightwing populism, and public views about climate change in Europe. Environmental Politics (2021).
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