Description
Existing literature suggests that there is an autocratic disadvantage in tackling climate change, even amongst oil-rich countries. The importance of democratic institutions for climate change mitigation is further highlighted in the study of Tadadjeu et al. (2023), additionally implying an autocratic disadvantage in tackling climate change in oil-rich countries. Yet, I find anecdotal evidence suggesting that there is no universal disadvantage of autocracies, as some oil and gas- (hydrocarbon) rich exporting autocracies are more committed to climate change mitigation than other hydrocarbon-rich exporting autocracies. To understand why some hydrocarbon-rich exporting autocracies are more committed to climate change mitigation than their peers, I examine whether the level of dependence on hydrocarbon rents explains the difference in the adoption of renewable energy policies. Using panel data over the period of 2005-2019 for a sample of 33 countries, I find that climate change mitigation commitment is more likely in countries with smaller dependence on hydrocarbon rents – specifically, below the average of 21.1% of GDP amongst hydrocarbon-rich exporting autocracies over 2005-2019 – than in countries with larger dependence. My results have implications for the understanding of political institutions regarding climate policy. For autocratic governments still highly dependent on hydrocarbon rents, they can understand that they need to invest in economic diversification to reduce their reliance on oil and gas and ultimately meet their mitigation goals. My study can also help international policymakers identify aiding factors in the adoption of renewable energy policies.
