Impact of environmental quality indicators on soft power: a few empirical estimates

ABSTRACT Environmental issues have become unavoidable over the last few decades. Countries are increasingly undergoing decision-making processes that involve impacts on the environment. Among the many possible costs of misuse of the environment, one that has drawn attention is with regard to soft power. In other words, can environmental degradation actually lead to a worsening of countries’ soft power? The empirical answer suggests that it does. In addition, we attempt to identify which specific factors within the environmental issue can have the greatest impact on countries’ soft power. Furthermore, measures that affect people’s health seem to be especially important points of impact on countries’ soft power.