How can we improve air pollution? Try increasing trust first

Abstract Environmental policies are characterized by salient short-term costs and long-term benefits that difficult to observe attribute the government's efforts. These characteristics imply citizens’ support for environmental is highly dependent on their trust in capability implement solutions commitment investments those policies. Using novel survey data from Mexico City, we show government positively correlated with willingness an additional tax approximately equal a day's minimum wage improve air quality greater preference retention of revenues fees collected polluting firms. We find similar correlations using perceived public goods as measure competence. results provide evidence mistrust can be obstacle better outcomes.