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Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 40787

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Agata Balińska

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Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166 St. 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: conscious consumption; pro-ecological behavior; market research methodology; tourist activity; local and regional development; service quality management
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Dear Colleagues,

Intensive economic, social and environmental changes create new challenges for both the modern consumer and enterprises. The modern consumer is becoming more and more aware, looking for products and services that will satisfy not only his existential needs, but also comply with ethical standards for people and the natural environment. Electricity is the basic commodity without which modern man cannot imagine functioning. Its production is growing year by year, leading to the degradation of another priceless good, which is the natural environment. Therefore, from the perspective of science, including social sciences, the following questions should be asked: How can a typical, statistical consumer influence energy savings? What could make him do this? Is he aware that, for example, not throwing food away, buying from local producers, saving water, using collective or alternative transport, sharing economy, etc., result in a lower demand for electricity with electricity?

Prof. Dr. Agata Balińska
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Reduction of energy consumption - conditions and actions
Green energy - the use of renewable energy sources
Activities to reduce water consumption for institutional clients and individuals
Alternative (pro-ecological) forms of individual and collective transport
The concept of "zero waste" - fashion or a chance to reduce waste?
Influence of age, gender, nationality, place of residence on pro-environmental activities
Sharing economy in theory and practical activities
Methodology of research on pro-ecological behavior - challenges and experiences

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 172 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Analysis of Consumer Pro-Environmental Behavior—The Context of Scientific Research

by Agata Balińska

Energies 2022, 15(8), 2729; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15082729 - 08 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1242

Abstract

The progress of civilization and the related technological development have made electricity a necessary component of production processes and a necessary condition for the functioning of households and individuals [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

12 pages, 793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Consumers’ Green Skepticism on the Purchase of Energy-Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Products

by Katarzyna Kreczmańska-Gigol and Tomasz Gigol

Energies 2022, 15(6), 2077; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15062077 - 12 Mar 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3845

Abstract

Interest in and acquisition of energy-efficient items and pro-environmental products and the scale of these purchases depend on consumer attitudes, especially those related to beliefs that such products are usually more expensive than their nonenergy-efficient counterparts. However, green skepticism is a phenomenon that weakens the willingness to buy both energy-efficient and pro-environmental products. This skepticism is enhanced by the phenomenon of greenwashing, which has become a popular way of competing, whereby companies strive to appear to be more environmentally friendly than they are. Therefore, we wanted to investigate consumer attitudes toward energy-efficient products and environmentally friendly purchases. We conducted a survey using a computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique throughout Poland. The research sample included 1000 individuals and was representative of gender, age, and place of residence. The results of our study showed that women, people with a higher education, and people in better financial situations accept higher prices for products that do not cause environmental damage. Moreover, willingness to pay higher prices for products that do not cause environmental damage correlates negatively with a negative assessment of producers’ social responsibility and with a negative assessment of consumers’ social responsibility. We proposed theoretical and practical implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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27 pages, 1452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pro-Ecological Behavior: Empirical Analysis on the Example of Polish Consumers

by Józef Ober and Janusz Karwot

Energies 2022, 15(5), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15051690 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2466

Abstract

Intense economic, social and environmental changes are creating new challenges for both consumers and businesses. Today’s consumer is becoming increasingly conscious of the importance of living in harmony with both ethical standards and the environment. Access to global resources, including utilities such as water, sewage collection, electricity or gas, is so ubiquitous that modern man cannot imagine functioning without them. The aim of this article is to show how the statistical Polish consumer has, or wants to have, an impact on improving the quality of the natural environment by using available resources and technological solutions. The novelty here is the use of the structural equation model (SEM) to build a model of pro-environmental behaviors in relation to the motivating and limiting factors for undertaking such behaviors in Poland. The hypothesis that the statistical Polish consumer undertakes pro-environmental behaviors because of their positive impact on the natural environment was accepted in the study. Due to the complexity of research aspects, a mixed research procedure was applied, in which a literature review was combined with a survey and statistical analysis. For the purpose of the survey, the author’s questionnaire, “Pro-ecological behavior in Poland”, was created. The results of the study confirmed the adopted hypothesis and allowed conclusions to be formulated in which the research questions were answered and factors motivating and limiting pro-ecological activities in Poland were indicated. The factors presented and the model developed can be a signpost for the government of Poland and other European Union countries towards maintaining the current and introducing new reliefs, incentives and education on pro-environmental activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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21 pages, 2472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Electricity Consumption in Poland Using Prediction Models and Neural Networks

by Monika Zielińska-Sitkiewicz, Mariola Chrzanowska, Konrad Furmańczyk and Kacper Paczutkowski

Energies 2021, 14(20), 6619; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206619 - 14 Oct 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2252

Abstract

The challenges of the modern world require transformations in the energy market towards the possible reduction of consumption and greater use of renewable sources. The conducted research of consumers of this market confirms that the behaviour in the field of increased use of renewable energy is burdened with cognitive errors and motivational factors, which makes it difficult to conduct quantitative research. Electricity demand forecasting can be modelled using selected quantitative methods. In this way, not so much the behaviour, but the result of the consumer’s behaviour is predicted. The research presented in the article has been divided into two parts. The aim of the first one is to study the prospects of a greater share of renewable sources in obtaining energy in Poland, based on the attitudes and opinions of consumers on the retail energy market, legal regulations and the energy balance. The aim of the second part is to build forecasts of daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly electricity consumption in Poland, including the prediction of the RES share, using selected machine and deep learning methods. The analyses used the time series of daily electricity consumption in Poland from 2015–2021; the ENTSO-E data was obtained from the cire.pl website. Depending on the adopted forecast horizon, the forecasting method with the lowest MAPE error was exponential smoothing, SARIMA and NNETAR. An evolution of energy consumers’ attitudes towards pro-ecological and pro-social sensitivity and understanding of the importance of RES for the economy was also observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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21 pages, 804 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Situation of Households on the Energy Market in the European Union: Consumption, Prices, and Renewable Energy

by Aleksandra Matuszewska-Janica, Dorota Żebrowska-Suchodolska and Agnieszka Mazur-Dudzińska

Energies 2021, 14(19), 6364; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196364 - 05 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2151

Abstract

Energy plays a crucial role in the modern world. The acquisition and consumption of energy is unfortunately associated not only with economic development or the facilitation of everyday life, but also with a negative impact on the environment. To prevent these, measures are being taken which are part of a broad programme referred to as sustainable energy development (SED). A special place among energy consumers is occupied by households, as access to energy is a fundamental factor affecting the quality of life. The aim of this paper is to look at and assess the current situation of the household sector in the EU energy market in the context of SED and to point out similarities and differences between EU countries. The analysis considers factors based on SED indicators: final energy consumption per capita, energy prices offered to households, and the share of renewable energy in household energy consumption. The k-means method was used as a research tool. The results obtained indicate first of all that the EU countries are highly differentiated in terms of the analysed factors. It can be said that these differences result not only from the wealth of a given country, geographical location, or natural possibilities to use renewable energy sources, but mainly from the energy policies implemented in individual countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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16 pages, 1023 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Drives the Eco-Friendly Tourist Destination Choice? The Indian Perspective

by Marek Nowacki, Yash Chawla and Joanna Kowalczyk-Anioł

Energies 2021, 14(19), 6237; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196237 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3487

Abstract

Although eco-friendly (pro-environmental) behaviour in tourism has attracted interest among practitioners and scholars, little is known about the influence of these attitudes on the choice of eco-friendly destinations, especially in the context of emerging tourist markets such as India. Thus, this article aims to verify a model of the relationships between attitudes towards the environment and eco-friendly tourism, social and personal norms regarding environmentally responsible behaviour, perceived behavioural control, behavioural intentions regarding eco-friendly destinations and the willingness to pay for such trips using the theory of planned behaviour. The study used an online survey conducted with 598 Indians. The relationships between the variables were analysed using PLS-PM. The most important results indicated that (1) there are significant relationships between the attitude towards the environment, the attitude towards an eco-friendly destination, social and personal norms and behavioural control and intentions regarding travelling to eco-destinations and (2) well-educated young Indian consumers expressed a positive attitude towards eco-friendly destinations; however, there was only a very weak relationship between this attitude and willingness to pay more for trips to them. These findings are valuable for pro-environmental planning and the growing green market/economy, as well as for the discussion on the future of pro-environmental tourism development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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19 pages, 744 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Analysis of Sustainable Transport Development as a Support Tool for Transport System Management: Spatial Approach

by Artur Czech, Katarzyna Gralak, Marzena Kacprzak and Agnieszka Król

Energies 2021, 14(19), 6149; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196149 - 27 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1690

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to assess sustainable transport development, particularly in Polish voivodeships, as well as to identify underdeveloped geographical areas. In order to deal with this research topic, both classical and multivariate order statistical measures were implemented into the research process. The source of information for the research was the data drawn from BDL (Bank of Local Data) Statistics Poland. The rankings of Polish voivodeships were obtained for sustainable transport development and its individual components in the form of three orders: environmental, social and economic. This allowed us to identify underdeveloped regions in the area of transport sustainability and its particular aspects. It should be noted that we applied both the original set of diagnostic variables and their classification into particular orders. However, the choice of variables was mostly conditioned by the availability of data. Furthermore, this was the first time that the taxonomic methods applied here, featuring the implementation of the multidimensional Weber median, have been used to assess aspects of transport sustainability. This kind of synthetic method design allowed us to consider the interactions between different areas of a sophisticated transportation system and made our analysis immune to skewing by diagnostic variables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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22 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Concept of Zero Waste in the Context of Supporting Environmental Protection by Consumers

by Małgorzata Bogusz, Renata Matysik-Pejas, Andrzej Krasnodębski and Paweł Dziekański

Energies 2021, 14(18), 5964; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14185964 - 20 Sep 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5755

Abstract

Zero waste according to the Zero Waste International Alliance is an ethical, economical, effective and forward-thinking concept whereby people can change their lifestyles and habits to one that mimics natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources that can benefit others. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of the Zero Waste problem (subject of the study) by respondents in selected Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland, Slovakia (EU countries) and Ukraine (EU associated country), as well as to verify whether the Zero Waste rules are known and implemented in sustainable activities of residents in the studied countries. The research was carried out using the CAWI method. The research tool was a structured questionnaire. The analysis of data from the countries covered by the study showed a significant relationship between the basic elements in the daily functioning of households related to the protection of the environment through responsible consumption, reuse and recovery of selected products, packaging and materials and food and the concept of Zero Waste. Research has shown that respondents consciously identify these activities with Zero Waste. According to the authors, the results of the research are the basis for public discussion at the European and global level in the field of creating legal regulations and educational programs in the context of waste management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

19 pages, 553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pro-Environmental Behaviour in the European Union Countries

by Aneta Mikuła, Małgorzata Raczkowska and Monika Utzig

Energies 2021, 14(18), 5689; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14185689 - 09 Sep 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3130

Abstract

The purpose of the presented research is to assess pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) in European Union countries in 2009 and 2019. The study used a synthetic measure developed using the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) benchmark method. This method enables distinguishing classes and ranks of countries depending on the adopted characteristics. Basic measures of descriptive statistics, i.e., average, standard deviation and the coefficient of variation, were used in the analysis of the data set. The main research question addressed in this study concerns the relationship between the level of PEB and economic, demographic, and educational factors—not only on a micro scale but also from the macroeconomic perspective. The research has revealed a wide variety throughout the European Union (EU-27) countries in terms of pro-environmental behaviour. Sweden, Finland, and Denmark top the ranking, while Malta, Greece, Spain, and Romania are at the bottom of it. Northern European countries can therefore be identified as a group that represents a positive benchmark in terms of PEB across the European Union (EU-27). The correlation between PEB and selected economic, demographic, and education-related variables was also investigated. Country-level PEB is correlated with demographic and economic variables, but it is not correlated with education-related variables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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14 pages, 3017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Incentives on Employees to Change Thermostat Settings—A Field Study

by Mariola E. Zalewska

Energies 2021, 14(17), 5315; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14175315 - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2375

Abstract

When looking for energy-saving solutions, one should bear in mind the savings that can be obtained through behavioral changes. The article shows that a simple incentive can have a statistically significant impact on employees’ pro-ecological behavior. First, the introduction refers to the general perspective of striving for a global implementation of the Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the stakeholders’ point of view is presented, based on reports submitted to the Responsible Business Forum competition (Poland). The two motivating trends are referenced, which include increasing the contribution of powering office buildings to the overall energy demand and increasing the appreciation of behavioral changes as alternatives or complements to technological solutions in pursuit of the SDGs. The following sections of the article present an experiment carried out at one faculty of the University of Warsaw, which consisted of checking the effect of the incentive to lower the temperature in offices after working hours on the actual change in the behavior of the employees. After several weeks of observation of end-of-day thermostat settings in several dozen offices, a statistically significant effect was found. This proves that even simple incentives can lead to pro-ecological behavioral changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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16 pages, 293 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Eco-Apps in Encouraging Pro-Environmental Behavior of Young People Studying in Poland

by Agata Balińska, Ewa Jaska and Agnieszka Werenowska

Energies 2021, 14(16), 4946; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164946 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4485

Abstract

Nowadays, protection of the natural environment is the fundamental duty and challenge of humanity. Adverse environmental changes make it necessary to encourage behaviors that will reduce our negative impact. Due to the development of media, information reaches consumers through various channels. New media, including mobile applications, are becoming increasingly popular. Their potential impact on young consumers cannot be overestimated as young people are able to modify their attitudes, behaviors and habits more easily than older ones. The main aim of this study was to recognize the use of eco-applications as a new source of information in the field of pro-environmental behavior of young people studying in Poland. The research objectives included the identification of pro-environmental behaviors most often declared by students, verifying their recognition and use of eco-applications, and determining the features of eco-app design expected by young users. The study involved the methods of desk research, in-depth interview and computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI). The empirical material obtained from 772 students representing Generation Z underwent quantitative and qualitative analysis, which allowed for the verification the proposed hypotheses. The respondents most often declared pro-environmental behavior in the household context. As regards eco-apps, the respondents were most likely to recognize applications promoted via traditional media. The main feature expected of eco-app design was ease of use, which does not mean that users expected the app to be in Polish, as this criterion was relatively low rated. The Mann-Whitney test and the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed relationships between such variables as gender, place of residence or income and pro-environmental behavior, the use of selected eco-apps and the expected features of eco-app design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

18 pages, 670 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pro-Environmental Behaviors of Generation Z in the Context of the Concept of Homo Socio-Oeconomicus

by Anna Justyna Parzonko, Agata Balińska and Anna Sieczko

Energies 2021, 14(6), 1597; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061597 - 13 Mar 2021

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5163

Abstract

The research reported here aims to investigate the pro-environmental behavior of respondents in the context of the concept of homo socio-oeconomicus. The main research question addressed in this paper considers the pro-environmental behavior of Generation Z representatives, due to the fact that this age group is believed to display different behavior patterns. In order to identify the differences in the pro-environmental behaviors of Generation Z, the results obtained from this group have been confronted with declarations of respondents from an older group (aged 25 to 65). It is worth noting that in the research on pro-environmental behavior of households in Poland conducted so far, Generation Z has not been taken into consideration as a separate demographic, so this study aims to make a contribution to the existing research gap. The data on the surveyed population were obtained through a standardized research questionnaire. The survey was carried out using the internet surveying technique—computer-assisted web interview (CAWI). This paper uses descriptive, tabular and graphic methods to analyze and present the collected materials. The basic measures of descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of the dataset, i.e., mean, median, mode, Pearson chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U test. The conducted research has shown that the representatives of Generation Z are less engaged in pro-environmental behavior than people from the older age group. Their pro-environmental actions mainly included turning off lights when leaving a room and choosing public transportation as the basic means of transport. For the whole surveyed sample, the most highly rated pro-environmental behaviors included those imposed by legal regulations and those whose implementation brings financial benefits in the form of lower maintenance costs. The main motivating and demotivating factors determining pro-environmental behavior were predominantly economic in nature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Pro-ecological Behavior of Consumers)

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