Governmental hypocrisy in environmental protection has become increasingly visible, raising concerns about its political and social consequences. While much attention has been given to its impact on public trust and individual behavior, less is known about how such hypocrisy influences collective action. Drawing on Self-Categorization Theory, we propose that emotional discomfort can arise when people perceive their group, including political entities like governments, as hypocritical. Therefore, this study explores the role of emotional discomfort, national identification, and ecological dominance orientation in shaping responses to perceived governmental hypocrisy.

Using data from a Belgian sample (N = 2178) collected via an online questionnaire distributed by local newspapers, we conducted a mediation analysis. The results showed that perceived governmental hypocrisy significantly predicted intentions for collective action through emotional discomfort. This mediation was influenced by national identification but not by ecological dominance orientation. These findings emphasize the political nature of hypocrisy perceptions and demonstrate how national identification can relate to individuals’ sensitivity to governmental failings, motivating collective responses.