Analysis of the Influence Mechanism of Low-Carbon Consumption Behavior in Beijing, China

Abstract

Abstract The daily consumption pattern of residents has an important influence on energy conservation and emission reduction, and tackling climate change. It is an important task for theoretical researchers and policy makers to guide and encourage residents to transform low-carbon consumption pattern. Based on the questionnaire survey, the structural equation model was established to explore the individual psychological factors and external factors which affect residents' low-carbon consumption behavior. Bootstrap method was used to explore and test the mediating effect of pre-variables. The discrepancies of different characteristic groups were analyzed by independent sample T test. The results showed that behavioral intention and low-carbon knowledge directly promoted residents' low-carbon consumption behavior. Psychological variables such as values, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control advanced residents’ low-carbon consumption behavior through behavioral intention. Policies and regulations affected residents’ low-carbon consumption behavior by individual psychological variables. Publicity and education could directly facilitate residents' low-carbon consumption behavior, and had a significant effect on behavior by improving the knowledge of low-carbon. Groups with different gender, age, educational background, family structure and monthly household income had a prominent discrepancy in low-carbon performance. On this basis, it provided targeted policy ideas for the government to guide residents to convert low-carbon lifestyle and consumption pattern. JEL classification numbers: Q54, Q56, D12. Keywords: Low-carbon consumption behavior, Psychological consciousness, Policies and regulations, Structural equation model, Mediating effect analysis.