Promotion Of Sustainable Consumption Research Articles

Promotion of Sustainable Consumption in the Energy Sector

Promotion of Sustainable Consumption in the Energy Sector

The effect of consumer lockdown on the relationship between environmental beliefs and pro-environmental behaviors

This study investigates the disruptive effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the relationship between environmental beliefs and pro-environmental behaviors. We used a survey conducted in the four major cities of Colombia before COVID-19 arrived in December 2019 and then repeated it in October 2020, after most of the major restrictions on mobility and economic activity had been lifted. The survey captured ecocentric and anthropocentric beliefs using the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) and Pro Environmental Behaviors (PEBS) using 18 questions about energy and water savings, recycling, and sustainable purchasing. In the 2020 survey, we included a measure of the severity of the individual’s experience of disruption, including economic, family, and health-related aspects. Controlling for demographic variables, we analyzed (1) descriptive changes in NEP and PEBS, (2) the moderating effect of the disruption on the effect of NEP on PEBS, (3) the direct effect of disruption severity on PEBS, and (4) the moderating effect of severity on the effect of NEP on PEBS in 2020. We found that disruption caused by the lockdown crisis decreased anthropocentric beliefs and slightly increased ecocentric beliefs. This disruption also modified the effects of NEP on PEBS, thereby ameliorating the capacity of NEP to activate PEBS. The severity of experience moderated most of these effects. We discuss the implications of our results for the theory of environmental beliefs and pro-environmental behaviors and offer recommendations to reverse the potential negative effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the promotion of sustainable consumption.

Exploring Factors Affecting Sustainable Consumption Behaviour

Business development policies cover both marketing and sales functions, as they are so intertwined in most firms. Thus, managers should comply with the factors that influence sustainable consumption behaviour. The study aims to investigate the effect of environmental knowledge (EK), materialism (MAT), environmental influences (EI), the promotion of sustainable consumption (PSC), and sustainable consumption behaviour intention (SCBI) on sustainable consumption behaviour (SCB). Although many studies have examined sustainability issues for various groups of countries, activities in this critical field in Bulgaria are severely limited, and integrated research on the subject is non-existent. This paper focuses on the importance of investigating various factors that influence sustainable consumer behaviour. A total of 489 complete and usable responses were collected from participants from all regions of Bulgaria between May 2022 and July 2022. The partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and SmartPLS 4 software were employed to test the hypothesised relationships. The results indicated that EK and MAT significantly affected SCBI. Additionally, the analysis revealed the statistically significant impact of EK, MAT, EI, PSC, and SCBI on SCB. Moreover, this study demonstrated that SCBI significantly mediated the relationships between EK and SCB and between MAT and SCB. Finally, the outcomes of the moderation analysis showed that age moderated the relationship between SCBI and SCB.

Systematic Literature Review on Sustainable Consumption from the Perspective of Companies, People and Public Policies

Sustainable consumption requires that people, companies, and nations promote correct use of their resources in the interest of environmental protection and ecosystem integrity. Given the relevance of this subject, the main objective of the present study was to provide an overview of the literature on sustainable consumption, going beyond knowledge related to consumer behavior, and addressing questions connected with the role of companies and public policies in the promotion of sustainable consumption. To achieve that, a systematic literature review was carried out by selecting 114 articles published over the past ten years, from Web of Science categories with an environmental focus. The study allowed for showing the state of the art of the subject, as well as suggestions for future studies based on gaps in the literature. It was found that there is a concentration of studies oriented toward surveying and understanding consumer behavior at the expense of those focused on examining companies and their relationship with sustainability and consumption.

Sustainable Consumption in the Baltic States: The Carbon Footprint in the Household Sector

Sustainable consumption is one of the main aspects while implementing sustainable development goals. The main feature of sustainable consumption is the reduction of environmental impact. Thus, it is vital to understand and evaluate the environmental impact caused by consumption. In this paper, carbon footprint analyses of the Baltic States for the period of 2000–2019 were used to study sustainable consumption and pro-environmental behavior development. The results show not only how carbon footprint changes in different consumption categories (e.g., mobility, housing, food, and services), but whether it is related to changes in pro-environmental behavior as the promotion of sustainable consumption is crucial to reduce the consumption-based carbon footprint. The results from multi-regional input-output analyses show that in the Baltic States 62–71% of all the household carbon footprint is attributed to the three main consumption categories—transport, food, and housing. These categories are also responsible for 53–56% of the household expenditure. Consequently, changes in our mobility, food consumption, and housing management practices can significantly reduce the household environmental impacts. However, to minimize carbon footprints, behavioral changes are not enough; structural changes in the agro-food, housing, energy, and transport systems are also needed.

Organic Food Consumption among Households in Hanoi: Importance of Situational Factors

The promotion of sustainable consumption plays an extremely important role in Vietnam’s National Green Growth Strategy. However, despite an increase in concerns about environmental issues, eco-friendly buying behaviors in general and organic food consumption in particular are still unpopular among Vietnamese consumers, leading to a question about the importance of situational factors, which this article focuses on. Based on attitudes; subjective norms; perceived norms, which are mentioned in the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and consumer choice theory; and social norms from social categorization theory, the research created a questionnaire and then sent it to respondents who were in charge of buying food for their family in Hanoi. Then, 423 of the 570 responses received were used to create the structural equation model (SEM) with four distinct stages in AMOS statistical software, which evidences the crucial role of situational factors. Subjective norms and social norms have the highest positive impact on organic food purchase among households in Hanoi. Moreover, households’ organic food purchase is also positively affected by perceived behavior control and the availability of products but negatively affected by the price of products, which strongly fits with TPB, social categorization theory, and other studies. In particular, there is no evidence about relationships between knowledge of or attitude toward organic food and family income and organic food purchase among households in Hanoi. In addition, age and education status do not have any impact on respondents’ behavior in organic food purchase in this city. Finally, the authors propose some suggestions to promote organic food consumption among households in Hanoi. First is that businesses specializing in the production and supply of organic products should focus on customer care activities, innovate business models, and advertise to attract customers to use organic products. Second is that the government should issue regulations to encourage businesses to invest in the research and production of organic products as well as implement strict regulations to penalize violations in the production and supply of organic products.

Pro-Environmental and Pro-Social Engagement in Sustainable Consumption: Exploratory Study

Sustainable consumption, provision of a clean and healthy environment, as well as improvements to the quality of life of current and future generations, are all integral parts of the sustainable development strategy, which is understood as a compromise between the environmental, economic and social objectives of society. The pro-environmental and pro-social consumer engagement in sustainable consumption may lead to behavioral change, thus contributing to the resolution of current global challenges. Although recently the pro-environmental and pro-social engagement concept has received considerable attention, there is still no consensus on what determines it. Moreover, the recent research is limited to identifying individual factors of this phenomenon. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the factors that determine pro-environmental and pro-social consumer engagement in sustainable consumption. The authors employed a qualitative method approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with consumers engaged in sustainable consumption in Lithuania. The research results reveal that these consumers were affected by cognitive, attitudinal and psychosocial factors. In terms of external factors, consumers named contextual factors for sustainable consumption, social norms and the promotion of sustainable consumption. Research results also show an additional internal factor of perceived responsibility, which means perceived duty as an individual to do good for society and the environment.

Sustainable Consumption and Production: Exploring the Links with Resources Productivity in the EU-28

In the framework of the European Union’s Sustainable Development Policy, the promotion of sustainable consumption and production patterns has been a key issue. The explanation is given by their capacity to address social and economic development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems and decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation. The EU has established an extensive range of proposals on sustainable consumption and production (SCP), which include an energy- and resource-efficient economy, circular economy, waste prevention and recycling, among others. This paper contributes, by using both factorial and regression analysis, to the identification of fundamental constructs that define SCP in the EU-28, their links with resource productivity and the role of governments and enterprises in its improvement by means of investment in research, development and innovation over the period 2001–2018. Some recommendations to policy-makers are proposed in the paper in order to take actions directly on SCP, such as promoting the use of recycled raw materials in public works, or imposing the need for Ecolabel certification to contract with public administration.

Internal and External Determinants of Consumer Engagement in Sustainable Consumption

Rapid population growth together with improving living standards is causing bigger and more rapid consumption of resources in industrial, household and personal consumption areas. Unsustainable consumption patterns are negatively affecting our surroundings. In order to promote sustainable consumption it is important to engage consumers in active and mutual dialogue. This study introduces the construct of consumer engagement into the context of sustainable consumption and aims at revealing the factors influencing consumer engagement in sustainable consumption. Two groups of factors, internal and external, each comprising three determinants (environmental attitude, perceived responsibility and perceived behavioral efficiency; and conditions for sustainable consumption, social environment and promotion of sustainable consumption) were identified as having direct positive impact on consumer engagement in sustainable consumption, which in turn had a positive impact on green product buying. The results revealed an important mediating role of the consumer engagement construct, suggesting that application of the engagement construct in the context of sustainable consumption would allow a deepening understanding of actual consumer behavior related with different contexts of sustainable consumption.

Supporting fair trade as a mechanism for sustainable consumption promotion: cases of Brazil and Austria

The aim of this research is to analyse the development of fair trade and to investigate the challenges and opportunities that might enable fair trade to flourish via sustainable consumption in Brazil. Promotion of sustainable consumption is discussed as the fundamental support to fair trade expansion. We perform a comparative empirical analysis, based on primary data, gathered from consumer e-surveys and expert interviews in Austria and Brazil. The results show significantly lower awareness of Brazilian consumers and many obstacles on the path of Brazilian fair trade advocates toward higher awareness and share of fair trade in this country. Key institutional challenges for supporting fair trade as a mechanism of sustainable consumption promotion are delineated.

Mass Customization and Sustainable Consumption: Nudging Consumers towards more Sustainable Choices

In this study, we shed light on the unexplored potential of customer co-creation in a mass customization (MC) setting to contribute to the promotion of sustainable consumption. We theoretically der...

Changing urban cement metabolism under rapid urbanization – A flow and stock perspective

China's rapid urbanization is characterized by large-scale construction activities which require enormous amounts of construction materials and induce a series of resource and environmental problems. However, few studies have paid serious attention to construction material metabolism within urban ecosystems in the Chinese urbanization hotspot. This study focuses on changes in cement metabolism in Xiamen from 2002 to 2012 and aims to elucidate its metabolic characteristics and mechanisms. The results show that, (1) residential buildings account for 1/3 of total cement use, with more and more accumulating as unused stock; (2) decoration is the second largest cement consumer after building and should be paid more attention in metabolism analyses; (3) road transport infrastructure is expected to maintain its growing potential for cement use; (4) increasing amounts of construction and demolition waste are hardly reused or recycled. To mitigate ecological pressures resulting from urban cement metabolism and foster sustainable construction, a multidimensional policy portfolio is proposed including development of improved real estate policies, optimization of urban spatial patterns, popularization of decoration-binding residential buildings and premixed mortar usage, establishment of a waste recycling system, industrialization of the construction industry and the promotion of sustainable consumption. This empirical research provides a reference template for future sustainable construction material management studies in rapidly urbanizing areas elsewhere.

Sustainability service in-store

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore, illustrate, and conceptualize how sustainability service is performed and the role it plays in the promotion of sustainable consumption. Design/methodology/approach – Theoretically, this paper takes a practice theory approach, conceptualizing the provision of sustainability service as a set of complex, socio-material, and performative practices. Methodologically, this paper draws on an ethnographic study of a retail chain – W-Store – and its sustainability service. Interviews with management and focus group interviews with shop assistants and consumers, as well as observations made in-store, make up the material analysed. Findings – The provision of sustainability service is accomplished in this case via three service practices; arranging green shopping trails, answering sustainability questions, and promoting sustainability to green consumers in-store. The analysis shows that the retailing of sustainable products is not simply a matter of including sustainability products in the range and instructing shop assistants to promote them. Sustainability service – as enacted at W-Store – was dependent on the successful combination and configuration of human competence (service staff) and IT and organizational artefacts. There also needed to be congruence between consumers and their images and between retailers and the version of sustainability they were enacting. Finally, the provision of sustainability service required an investigative and adaptive organization capable of keeping up as well as developing vis-á-vis changing sustainability discourses and issues. However, once the necessary conditions had been met, sustainability service worked towards promoting sustainable consumption by making green shopping possible, educating consumers on sustainability issues, and motivating them via positive feedback and dialogue. Originality/value – Underscores the importance of investigating sustainability service and offers both a conceptual approach to and an analysis of this particular type of retail service work.

The Consumers’ Approach to Sustainable Consumption and Production: a Case Study in Lithuania

The promotion of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) as the most important goal and the main challenge to continuously improve the well-being of present and future generations was stated in the European Union (EU) Sustainable Development Strategy, which was renewed in 2006. Consumers show more concern about their consumption patterns. Unfortunately, actual consumption behaviour is changing very slowly and achievements in industrial efficiencies do not ensure significant positive changes. Even though old member states of the EU still have the largest volume of consumption expenditure, new member states are already not so far from them with one of the highest increases recorded in the Baltic States according to the data from Eurostat. This paper will highlight the most important results from the survey for Lithuanian consumers in order to ascertain their attitudes and habits and to determine relevant factors that influence, inhibit and motivate their consumption behaviour. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.71.4.13642

Consumers' willingness-to-pay for sustainable food products: the case of organically and locally grown almonds in Spain

Organically and locally grown products have positive environmental impacts due to the reduction in the greenhouse emissions required for their production. This paper contributes to this research stream by investigating consumers' preferences and their willingness to pay for almonds that have different sustainable labels: distance claims (100 km, 800 km, and 2000 km) and the organic logo established by the European Union. To achieve the objective, consumers participated in a non-hypothetical choice experiment; latent class modeling was employed to identify distinct patterns of valuation. The results suggest that consumers were willing to pay a positive price premium for locally grown (traveled the shortest distance) and organically produced almonds, whereas they were not willing to pay a price premium for almonds that have traveled longer distances. Moreover, the findings show that consumer preferences for these claims were heterogeneous, with three consumer segments identified as: “conventional consumers”, “short distance consumers”, and “sustainable consumers”. Overall results confirm the results of previous studies because Spanish consumers were willing to pay a premium price for those almonds that are organically and locally produced, and, therefore, generate fewer greenhouse gases emissions. The findings of this study added scientific value to scholars of sustainable consumer behavior because of the use of Real Choice Experiment. Since no-hypothetical evaluation method simulates real markets with real products and a transaction of money, real choice experiment provides better approximations of true willingness to pay for organic and local almonds. Therefore real choice modeling eliminates hypothetical and social bias.The results of this study contribute to insights in the promotion of sustainable consumption among citizens by policy makers. In this regard, promotional and educational campaigns could drive different segments of consumers to increase their knowledge on the benefits of reduction of the quantity of GHG emissions required for organic and locally grown production.

Sustainable consumer behavior in China: an empirical analysis from the Midwest regions

In 1992, the “environment-friendly” concept was first put forward through Agenda 21 in United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio. Today the concept of “environment friendly” is better understood and more widely practiced and used. In 2005, Chinese government clearly pointed out that China needs to construct a resource-efficient and environment-friendly society, a “two-type” society as referred by Chinese. This paper expounded the connotation of sustainable consumer behavior, identified a series of crucial variables that influence such behavior, and then established hypotheses based on relevant theories and created a citizen consumption behavior model. The model and hypotheses were further tested and validated using SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) and regression analyses of data collected from Chinese Midwest regions. Results from analyses suggested that sustainable consumer behavior is affected by variables including two-type attitude, two-type knowledge and skills, life values, age, gender and so on. There exists a significant correlation between two-type knowledge & skills and two-type attitude. Relationship between two-type attitude and sustainable consumer behavior is regulated by contextual factors such as social norms and so on. The individual's sustainable consumption behaviors are greatly diverse owing to various demographic factors like age, gender and so on. Implications of the research findings to policy makers in China for the “two-type” society construction and to those developing countries engaged in the promotion of sustainable consumption were also discussed.

Efficiency for Sustainability—Smart Energy Management in Social Housing

An average energy consumption distribution in household at the worldwide level illustrates that more than three quarters of total consumption is contributed to room heating and almost 12% to water heating for all the living necessities. Although a slow fall of domestic energy consumption has occurred in the recent 20 years (from 1990 to 2011) with a regular decrease between ?1.2% and ?1.4%/year per dwelling as a result of a decrease income corresponding to the economic crisis in 2008, whereas energy prices for households has increase since 2004, the energy cost of paying especially for space heating and domestic hot water (DHW) supplying is still going up. At the EU level, the building sector including residential, commercial and other service buildings is regarded as the key to greater energy efficiency, because according to statistics the final energy consumption for building sector has taken the largest proportion about 40% until 2020, which is apparently higher than the share in transportation sector by 32% and industry sector by 24%. In the scope of the ongoing research and investigation on energy efficiency in residential fields and its impact on environment and climate, how to investigate smart energy management methods for the promotion of sustainable consumption and green living patterns has been already paid much attention, however it has to be studied further and thoroughly, especially among energy consumer groups whose energy costs have no or just little relevance or dependence on major income source, which leads to a lack of energy saving awareness by users. Energy consumers living in social housing buildings represent this kind of energy consumer group which receive the governmental relief fund as their family income in a great measure, they have different culture, educational and age backgrounds. This paper presents firstly some research results based on authors’ practical experiences on the projects about energy efficiency in social housing buildings in European countries, which is supposed to be introduced in the aspects of subjective and objective energy saving potentials. It is proposed to be able to provide valuable and referential advices exchange our experience on a sustainable development in affordable housing.

Advances in consumer education: European initiatives

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to inform the reader of developments in consumer education in the European Union and to present future directions for policy and research. The article responds to a call for more consumer education and the promotion of sustainable consumption. It makes a case for the benefits of studying the dynamic multi‐country process of developing coordinated consumer education curriculum and resources involving academics, government officials and non‐governmental organizations, ultimately affecting millions of students. The review of select initiatives, questions posed and subsequent recommendations highlights the complexity of the issues surrounding economic viability and the pedagogical and social value of transnational consumer education initiatives.

The European Commission's sustainable consumption and production and sustainable industrial policy action plan

The promotion of sustainable consumption and production patterns is enshrined as a key objective in the renewed European Union Sustainable Development Strategy (EU SDS). Sustainable consumption and production is arguably the most challenging aspect of the EU SDS. It requires changes to the way products and services are designed, produced, used and disposed of, taking into account producer and consumer behaviours. This paper reviews the European Commission's Communication on the sustainable consumption and production and sustainable industrial policy action plan, introduced on July 16, 2008. The paper examines the priority areas identified for action, the means adopted to improve energy and environmental performance of products as well as uptake by consumers. The paper concludes that the absence of mandatory quantifiable targets and deadlines and a reliance on both cross-sectoral and multi-level relationships are likely to weaken the ability of the action plan's fundamental objective of decoupling economic growth from resource use.