Energy-Related Behaviour of Consumers from the Silesia Province (Poland)—Towards a Low-Carbon Economy

Sylwia Słupik,Joanna Kos-Łabędowicz,Joanna Trzęsiok

doi:10.3390/en14082218

Sylwia Słupik, Joanna Kos-Łabędowicz + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082218

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Apr 16, 2021
Citations: 9	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Economics in Katowice

Abstract

The issue of energy behaviour among Polish consumers, and especially the motives and attitudes they manifest, is relatively under-researched. This article attempts to identify individual attitudes and beliefs of energy consumers using the example of the residents of the province of Silesia (Poland). The authors conducted the expert segmentation of respondents in terms of their motivation for saving energy, based on the results of their proprietary survey. The second stage of the study involved using a classification model that allowed for the characterisation of the obtained groups. Psychological and financial factors were of greatest significance, which is confirmed by the results of other studies. Nonetheless, the obtained results explicitly indicate the specificity of the region, which requires transformation towards a low-emission economy. Despite the initial stage of changes both in the awareness of the consumers and the public interventions of the authorities, it should be emphasized that a majority of the respondents—at least to a basic extent—declared taking energy-saving measures. Financial motives are predominant among the respondents, although pro-environmental motives can also be noticed, which might translate into increased involvement and concern for the environment and climate.

Highlights

IntroductionEnergy behaviour is a complex issue, household electricity consumption patterns are essential for shaping low-carbon economy, especially in the light of the observed climate changes [1,2]
Energy efficiency is an important issue from the perspective of sustainable and responsible development, reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere and energy consumption in line with EU-adopted objectives for 2020 and 2050.Energy behaviour is a complex issue, household electricity consumption patterns are essential for shaping low-carbon economy, especially in the light of the observed climate changes [1,2]
The study conducted on a set of data originating from a own survey was aimed at identifying the behaviour of energy consumers from the province of Silesia

Summary

Introduction

Energy behaviour is a complex issue, household electricity consumption patterns are essential for shaping low-carbon economy, especially in the light of the observed climate changes [1,2]. This is critical for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland, where many years of negligence in the field of environmental and climate protection force decisive actions by both central and regional authorities. We can observe the emerging trend concerning the greening of consumption among household members, the energy-efficient behaviour of Polish consumers remains relatively under-researched.

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