Pandemic-Induced Shifts in Climate Change Perception and Energy Consumption Behaviors: A Cross-Country Analysis of Belgium, Italy, Romania, and Sweden

This research explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behavior and preferences related to household energy consumption through actions to fight climate change in Belgium, Romania, Italy, and Sweden. Using data from two Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021, the study exam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSustainability Vol. 15; no. 20; p. 14679
Main Authors Iancu, Ioana Ancuta, Hendrick, Patrick, Micu, Dan Doru, Cote, Adrian
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.10.2023
Subjects
Alternative energy
Climate change
Consumer behavior
COVID-19
Decision making
Energy consumption
Energy industry
Energy management systems
Energy policy
Energy use
Global temperature changes
Households
Marketing
Marketing research
Sustainability
Sustainable development
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Sweden
Romania
Belgium
India
Italy
Europe
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Summary:This research explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behavior and preferences related to household energy consumption through actions to fight climate change in Belgium, Romania, Italy, and Sweden. Using data from two Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021, the study examines shifts in climate change perception, actions to combat climate change, and the influence of socio-economic and demographic variables on these actions. Depending on the country, the findings reveal significant pandemic-induced changes in public perceptions of climate change and personal actions to combat it. Age, gender, and education level were found to influence climate change actions. Financial constraints also significantly influenced the adoption of energy-efficient behaviors. Our research enriches existing knowledge by exploring the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on climate change perceptions and actions across diverse European countries, shedding light on the interplay between global crises and sustainability. The research methodology, including chi-square tests, logistic regression, and effect size measurements, provides a robust framework for understanding how economic factors and consumer behaviors are contributing to the development of effective energy policies.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su152014679