An Empirical Analysis of Renewable Energy Contributions Considering Green Consumer Values—A Case Study of Poland

Abstract

This article examines the acceptance of renewable energy in the adoption of the climate package, taking into account the GREEN consumer values among consumers in Poland. The research problem addressed in this paper relates to the measurement of consumer values in terms of the GREEN concept; specifically, consumer acceptance of the available offerings provided by real businesses. In addition, consumer needs are important in terms of ensuring the acceptance of renewable energy, which will create opportunities for its production in the context of the Fit 55 climate package. The study formulates some research questions and hypotheses to justify the concept with empirical data by applying statistical tests. The study is presented in several sections with a detailed presentation of secondary and primary data. The main outcome of the research is based on the primary data using a structured survey questionnaire administered in Poland and 557 collected samples. Nowadays, the responsibility also lies with consumers, as green consumption will entail green production. The research concludes that Poland’s consumers have a good level of acceptance of RES, based on the current green energy situation of Poland, which may lead to sustainability and will benefit policy makers in government, corporations and end consumers.

Consumers’ Social Responsibility in the Process of Energy Consumption—The Case of Poland

“…The study positively verified hypotheses H3a and H3b, meaning that there is a relationship between the GCV scale and savings behaviours inside (β = 0.204) and outside the home (β = 0.260). These results are consistent with previous studies on Polish society conducted by Bartoszczuk, Singh and Rutkowska [34] and Alagarsamy, Mehrolia and Mathew [60]. Interestingly, pro-environmental attitudes more strongly determine respondents to motivate others to save energy than to save energy in their immediate environment.…”

“…The GCV scale has been used many times in the research of other authors. For example, its impact on pro-environmental consumption intentions was checked [32], its impact on the willingness to use bioplastic was tested [33], the relationship between green consumption values and the behaviour of young consumers on the food market was studied [34] or its relationship with the consumption of renewable energy was analysed [34].…”

Renewable Energy Decision Criteria on Green Consumer Values Comparing Poland and India Aligned with Environment Policy for Sustainable Development

“…Consumer acceptance or rejection of any product or service is the determinant of the future of that specific offering [16]. It is very important to understand the consumer views on the green offerings.…”

“…The green consumer values are driven by six parameters measuring an individual view on the consumption of energy from RESs [16,19]. The six parameters are: CRITERIA 1-It is important to me that the energy I use does not harm the environment; CRITERIA 2-I consider the potential environmental impact of my actions when making energy usage decisions; CRITERIA 3-My energy consumption habits are affected by my concern for our environment; CRITERIA 4-I am concerned about wasting the resources of our planet when I use energy; CRITERIA 5-I would describe myself as environmentally responsible using energy; CRITERIA 6-I am willing to be inconvenienced in order to accept energy that is more environmentally friendly.…”

“…The six parameters are: CRITERIA 1-It is important to me that the energy I use does not harm the environment; CRITERIA 2-I consider the potential environmental impact of my actions when making energy usage decisions; CRITERIA 3-My energy consumption habits are affected by my concern for our environment; CRITERIA 4-I am concerned about wasting the resources of our planet when I use energy; CRITERIA 5-I would describe myself as environmentally responsible using energy; CRITERIA 6-I am willing to be inconvenienced in order to accept energy that is more environmentally friendly. Mostly, these are the decision criteria for an individual for the selection of any specific RES for their energy consumption [16,19]. The options of RESs are solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass, considerable in the majority of cases, though there may also be some other sources that are not as big contributors as the presented six sources.…”