Identifying the influence factors of residents’ low-carbon behavior under the background of “Carbon Neutrality”: An empirical study of Qingdao city, China

Abstract

In order to better guide the residents’ energy consumption behavior to low-carbon transformation and promote the realization of the “carbon neutrality” goal in China. This study adopts the theory of planned behavior and establishes a theoretical model to study residents’ low-carbon behavior (LCB) and its influencing factors. The 872 valid questionnaires were collected from the residents in Qingdao City to obtain the basic data, and the established theoretical model was empirically tested by using the structural equation model. It can be seen from the results that the “carbon neutrality” behavior intention (CBI) of residents is the most direct psychological motivation leading to their implementation of LCB (effect value = 0.662), and has a high intensity of relationship with all behavioral dimensions. Residents’ subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and environmental values indirectly drive their behaviors through influencing their CBI, and perceived behavioral control has the greatest effect (effect value = 0.325). Besides, the transformation process of residents’ CBI to LCB is positively regulated by the perception of energy prices and energy-efficient products economy. From the mean value of the latent variables, it can be concluded that the living environment, income, and education level have a significant impact on the LCB of residents. However, the effect of age and gender on LCB is not significant. Based on the results, this study puts forward some effective suggestions to improve the LCB of Qingdao residents.