Beyond the environmental burden narrative: environmental attitudes and green-job aspirations among Syrian refugees and Jordanians

Abstract

There is a prevalent view of refugees as an environmental burden, a narrative that can exacerbate strained relations between refugees and host communities. This study examines the empirical basis of this perspective using an original, in-person survey of 510 Syrian refugees and 509 Jordanian nationals across four cities in Jordan: Amman, Mafraq, Irbid, and Zarqa. The findings indicate that environmental attitudes and practices are broadly similar among Jordanians and Syrian refugees. Syrian refugees report modestly higher levels of environmental knowledge, a pattern that may reflect exposure to climate-related risks during war and displacement. In addition, Syrian refugees express greater interest in green jobs than Jordanians do, a pattern that may be associated with their disadvantaged position in the labor market and their search for new employment opportunities. These findings suggest that, under the right institutional design, refugees can contribute to the host nation’s green economy transition.