CEENRG Thursday seminars: 'The political effects of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone'

Speaker: Dr Frieder Mitsch (Postdoctoral Research Officer, LSE | Research Associate, Policy Evidence Unit for University Commercialisation and Innovation, University of Cambridge)

The Cambridge Centre for Environment, Energy, and Natural Resource Governance (C-EENRG) is hosting a seminar series throughout the 2023- 24 academic year.

This study contributes to the ongoing debate on whether there is a political backlash against green transition policies. The unexpected defeat of the Labour party in a recent by-election has been attributed to the expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Using a difference-in-difference methodology across two ULEZ expansion phases and three election sets, we find inconsistent political effects. In all scenarios, the Labour party experienced minor, statistically insignificant impacts. Green Party support fluctuated, while the Conservative party lost vote share in one election with no significant outcomes in the others. Individual-level analysis shows no discernible effects on political party support due to the 2017 ULEZ expansion announcement among those with non-compliant cars. Our study suggests caution in generalizing about the political effects of green policies based on mixed evidence from a single case, highlighting the complexity of establishing wider political consequences of such policies across different contexts.

Seminars take place as hybrid meetings (in person seminars in the DAB - David Attenborough Building + online in Zoom) every Thursday (please check precise time as may vary) during the term. Please register online to receive the Zoom link on the day of the seminar. Everyone is welcome!