Abstract
The Baltic states in general and Lithuania in particular represent a controversial combination of rapidly increasing climate change impacts and moderate or low concern with the climate crisis. A value shift is essential for the societal support and acceptance of renewable energy solutions. This study investigates the role of environmental attitudes in shaping the acceptance and risk perceptions of renewable energy technologies. The article analyses how environmental attitudes are shaping public attitudes towards climate change and perceptions of renewable energy technologies in Lithuania using New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) and environmental identity questions. The study analyses data from a representative public opinion survey with 1029 respondents conducted in Lithuania. The results reveal that environmental identity is a more significant factor in shaping risk perceptions of renewable technologies than is the NEP scale. The balance of nature dimension from the NEP is more closely related to perceptions of renewables than are humans’ right to rule claims. The results show that environmental attitudes have low explanatory power in explaining perceptions of energy technologies in Lithuania.
Highlights
Leal FilhoSustainability is a policy agenda that urges profound changes in social values in order to stimulate behavioural changes
The data show that the general level of concern about climate change in Lithuania is relatively moderate
The results are close to those attained by the European Social Survey in 2018 [37], showing that public concern regarding climate change is quite low
Summary
Sustainability is a policy agenda that urges profound changes in social values in order to stimulate behavioural changes. A shift to green energy sources requires public acceptance in terms of policy support, and public understanding of the causal relations of renewables to future environmental conditions and sustainability. Heberlein [1] has identified a difference between technological and cognitive fixes in relation to solving environmental problems. A technological fix occurs when technology influences the environment and environmental changes are achieved, while a cognitive fix happens when information influences human behaviour and attitudes need to be changed to influence behaviour [1] Reflexivity regarding the consequences of one’s own impacts and ecological footprint can meaningfully transfer to support for environmentally friendly solutions, like renewable energy production solutions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
