Environmental knowledge, pro-environmental behaviour and energy savings in households: An empirical study

Abstract

Energy consumption in households comprises over a quarter of total energy use in the UK [1]. Human behaviour is one of the main factors that can influence domestic energy consumption, together with the physical properties of the dwelling, climate, number and demographic profile of occupants, household income, lifestyle, and appliance ownership and use [2][3][4][5]. Indeed, variation in residents' behaviour can cause significant differences in energy consumption between dwellings with otherwise similar characteristics (e.g. household size, income, and building energy performance) [3,6]. It is therefore important to understand influences upon behaviour in households as these in turn have implications for domestic energy use. In this respect, strategies to stimulate pro-environmental behaviour represent one means of modifying behaviour in households in order to promote energy conservation and reduce environmental impact [7].Pro-environmental behaviour is a form of environmental action that 'consciously seeks to minimize the negative impact of one's actions on the natural and built world ' [8, p.240], and 'only refers to those personal actions that are directly related to environmental improvement ' [9, p.325]. Such environmental actions can be performed individually or collectively, and may be direct or indirect in their approach to mitigating harm to, and improving, the environment [9]. Pro-environmental behaviours can also be influenced by internal factors such as environmental awareness, values and attitudes [10] and external factors such as social norms, interaction with other individuals and financial constraints [11,12].In this study we assess how environmental knowledge influences pro-environmental behaviour in households. We establish and confirm links between knowledge about the environment and energy, actions on Environmental knowledge, pro-environmental behaviour and energy savings in households: An empirical study AbstractIn this paper we evaluate the impact of knowledge about environmental and energy issues on potential pro-environmental behaviour in households, specifically relating to behaviours, attitudes and habits towards energy use. Our results are based on an empirical survey and we find significant correlations which indicate that residents with positive environmental values and greater environmental knowledge are more likely to demonstrate energy behaviours, attitudes and habits which lead to energy saving activities in households. This is further supported through a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), which suggests that energy saving behaviour may also vary according to gender and employment status. Conversely, we find only limited evidence of statistical associations between environmental predisposition and knowledge, and ownership and frequency of use of household appliances. We argue that our results contribute to the significant body of literature supporting the role of knowledge in active engagement with energy issues. This study is timely following closely policy developments in activ...

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