Public acceptance of policies to reduce forest loss: Evidence from a large-N cross-national survey in East Africa

Abstract

While environmental policy acceptance has been extensively studied in OECD contexts, comparative evidence on how different forest policy instruments are perceived across low- and middle-income countries remains limited, particularly regarding the interaction between individual attitudes and national governance conditions. This study addresses this gap by analyzing stated support of four policies aimed at reducing forest loss across five East African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Using survey data from 4542 respondents, we examine individual and contextual factors associated with acceptance.

At the individual level, acceptance is higher for bans and taxes on tree cutting on public lands (67–68%) than on charcoal (44–46%), suggesting that policies perceived to directly constrain household energy access face greater resistance than restrictions on tree cutting. Reliance on firewood or charcoal is negatively associated with acceptance of all policies, while environmental concern, education, and trust are positively associated. Access to clean cooking fuels is positively linked to acceptance of tree-cutting restrictions. However, households dependent on charcoal are less supportive of charcoal-related bans and taxes, even where cleaner cooking alternatives are more available. Government effectiveness is associated with higher policy acceptance primarily where trust in government is high. Tree-cover loss is positively associated with acceptance of charcoal-related measures, and environmental concern is more strongly associated with acceptance in countries experiencing greater degradation.

While the sample is skewed toward urban and more educated respondents, the regional comparative analysis offers new evidence on how socio-economic and contextual factors relate to public acceptance of forest policies.