Spatial variation in energy attitudes and perceptions: Evidence from Europe

Abstract

Driven by socioeconomic processes, the influence of spatial factors on household energy related attitudes and perceptions is largely neglected in the literature. This paper analyses the extent to which energy perceptions and attitudes vary across different geographical contexts in Europe. We use representative Eurobarometer survey data to analyze how social conceptions of important energy issues, Europe's future energy priorities, and future energy system characteristics are shaped by rural, small urban, and large urban contexts. Using binary and ordered probit models, we find that householders in large and small areas are less likely to think of energy as a nationally important issue compared to their rural counterparts. Large city residents are less likely to think that renewables will play a significant role in the future energy system. Residents of large urban areas are more likely than those in rural areas to think that national energy policy should be centred on protecting the environment, guaranteeing a continuous supply of energy, and less around guaranteeing low prices for consumers.

Energy-Efficient Real Estate or How It Is Perceived by Potential Homebuyers in Four Latin American Countries

“…They found that there is a positive relationship between environmental concern and intention to adopt EEMs, which coincide with results from previous studies [55,56]. Although attitude seems to be an essential determinant to explain the intention to adopt and WTP for EEMs [32,50,57], environmental and socio-demographic variables (geographical context, income level, education, gender and age of household) have an influence, too [31,32,35,58].…”

“…Price premium [26] Does the housing market value energy efficient homes? Evidence from the energy star program USA [27] Energy efficiency and economic value in affordable housing Netherlands [28] Green signalling effects in the market for energy-efficient residential buildings Finland [29] A comparative study of theoretical behaviour change models predicting empirical evidence for residential energy conservation behaviours Global Consumer´s perspective, willingness to pay [30] Beyond energy efficiency and individual behaviours: policy insights from social practice theories Global [31] Spatial variation in energy attitudes and perceptions: Evidence from Europe EU [32] Determinants of Southern Italian households' intention to adopt energy efficiency measures in residential buildings Italy [33] Willingness to pay for energy-saving measures in residential building Switzerland [34] Behavior Driven Energy Efficiency: A Customized Feedback Approach USA [35] U.S. consumer attitudes and expectations about energy USA [3] Risk preferences and purchase of energy-efficient technologies in the residential sector USA [36] New homebuyers and the challenges of navigating sustainability and energy efficiency with Australian volume builders [43] Energy efficiency services for residential buildings: market situation and existing potentials in the European Union EU [44] Is energy efficiency capitalized into home prices? Evidence from three U.S. cities USA [45] Economic returns to energy-efficient investments in the housing market: Evidence from Singapore Singapore…”

“…Some studies identify geographical differences, which could be influenced by institutional constraints based on specific regional context and socially embedded choices [31,32,35]. De Cicco et al [35] found different regional responses regarding the extent to which energy impacts the environment in a survey applied in the United States.…”

“…Households from the South appear to be less likely to believe that energy affects the environment, whereas respondents from the other three regions did not differ significantly from one another in that respect. Balta-Ozkan and Le Gallo [31] analysed the extent to which energy perceptions and attitudes vary across between large urban, small urban and rural areas in Europe. They concluded that householders in large and small urban areas in Europe are "less likely to think of energy as a nationally important issue compared to their rural counterparts" [31].…”

The Role of Household Consumers in Adopting Renewable Energy Technologies in Kenya

“…Previous studies [14][15][16] demonstrated that consumer perceptions about renewable energy often vary by country. Even within a country studies [17,18] showed that those in rural areas are more likely to invest in renewable energy than those in urban areas. Other studies [19,20] noted that different lifestyles affect technological choices.…”