Processes of Modernization of Consumption in Poland in the Context of the Sustainable Consumption and the Functioning of the Renewable Energy Market

Magdalena Sobocińska

doi:10.3390/en15010289

Abstract

The process of consumption modernization can be expressed by adopting the principles of sustainable development within the sphere of consumption. It should be emphasized that the implementation of a sustainable consumption model becomes especially important when considering the fact that not only various types of enterprises but also consumers participate in the excessive consumption of natural resources. The processes of sustainable consumption that are related to its humanization and the formation of a responsible society are a response to the overconsumption of goods and services, which is not determined by actual human needs and does not consider social and ecological costs. The aim of the paper is to present a process of consumption modernization in Poland in the context of the functioning of the renewable energy market. Special attention is paid to behaviours that are consistent with the sustainable consumption model, as well as with the motives for using renewable energy sources by Polish consumers and the perception of barriers to increasing the use of renewable energy sources in Poland. This paper is based on literature studies, as well as on the results of an empirical study of quantitative character that was performed in 2021 on a nationwide representative sample of 1020 people. The contribution of the article is represented by showing the motivation of Polish consumers to use renewable energy sources and by indicating barriers to the development of the use of renewable energy sources by consumers in Poland. The analysis of the research results shows that the aspect of saving money plays a significant role among the motives for using renewable energy sources. At the same time, high investment costs in devices that enable the use of renewable energy sources are the main factor that is limiting the increase in the use of renewable energy sources in Poland.

Highlights

In the energy, growing importance has been placed on using energy from renewable sources
It should be noted that sustainable development involves a departure from the classical economy, which represents cases where nature is treated as a source of utility and where the technologies are developed in order to increase the efficiency at which we can obtain raw materials, in favour of a view that is characterized by limiting the economic growth rate and by changing the approaches that we use to manage natural resources to solve the problem of limited resources [3,4,5,6]
Modernizing consumption is inextricably linked with sustainable consumption, which plays a significant role in achieving the goals of sustainable development

Summary

Introduction

In the energy, growing importance has been placed on using energy from renewable sources. It should be noted that sustainable development involves a departure from the classical economy, which represents cases where nature is treated as a source of utility and where the technologies are developed in order to increase the efficiency at which we can obtain raw materials, in favour of a view that is characterized by limiting the economic growth rate and by changing the approaches that we use to manage natural resources to solve the problem of limited resources [3,4,5,6] This is because the causes of the sustainability crisis are seen in an economic paradigm in which fast economic growth is inscribed, regardless of its social and environmental consequences, as well as in the uncontrolled use of fuels and other raw materials, consumption that is motivated by the desire to achieve economic benefits in a short time. The development of the consumer society and the promotion of consumerism [8]

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Conclusion