This study explores the relationship between ethnicity and environmental attitudes in Estonia and Latvia, aiming to assess the effect of ethnicity on the attitude towards environmental protection especially when allocating resources to preserve the environment may hinder short-term economic growth. A quantitative analysis was employed, using multiple linear regression models based on data from the 2017 European Values Survey. Principal Component Analysis was used on the socio-economic class variable to create composite indicators, enabling the evaluation and isolation of the socio-economic class effect on attitudes from the effect of ethnicity. The results revealed an ethnic divide in Estonia, with ethnic Estonians showing greater support for environmental protection compared to Russian speakers. Additionally, the socio-economic class effect is observed in Estonia and Latvia, aligning with existing literature that views environmental protection as a post-materialistic value. Individuals of higher socio-economic status, where basic needs and economic stability have been achieved, showed stronger support for protecting the environment. Moreover, younger cohorts (the Post-Communist cohort in Estonia and the Re-independence cohort in Latvia) favour short-term economic development, with the Russian ethnic effect intensifying this trend in Estonia. This suggests that life cycle effects contribute to younger cohorts’ lower support for environmental preservation when it conflicts with short-term economic development. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the divergence in attitudes between titular majorities and Russian speakers to secure support for environmental policies. Future research should focus on understanding the ethnic identity and economic attitudes of younger cohorts, particularly the divergence from older cohorts and in-group differentiations along ethnic lines within these younger groups.
