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How does information on environmental emissions influence appliance choice? The role of values and perceived environmental impacts

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  • He, Shutong
  • Blasch, Julia
  • van Beukering, Pieter

Abstract

Energy labels with compact information on the energy use of appliances have been adopted worldwide to encourage consumers to make informed investment decisions. This study examines whether communicating environmental emissions (CO2 and air pollutant emissions) on energy labels can increase the preferences for energy-efficient appliances, with a specific focus on the role of individual psychological traits. A survey with decision tasks was conducted among the adult population in the Netherlands. Results show that information on environmental emissions does not increase the intention to invest in energy-efficiency, while energy-saving attitudes and habits do. Nevertheless, presenting information on CO2 emissions as well as combined CO2 and air pollutant emissions on energy labels can increase the preferences for energy-efficient appliances among individuals with relatively strong postmaterialist values. Information on CO2 emissions also increases the preferences of individuals with strong environmental concerns. However, no significant effects are found for information on air pollutant emissions. Also, personal experience of environmental degradation was not found to affect the effectiveness of the tested information interventions. Finally, we discuss the role of attention and type of decision situation for the processing of emissions information on energy labels. Our findings provide insights for improving information display on energy labels and energy education.

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  • He, Shutong & Blasch, Julia & van Beukering, Pieter, 2022. "How does information on environmental emissions influence appliance choice? The role of values and perceived environmental impacts," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:168:y:2022:i:c:s0301421522003676
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113142
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    1. Claudia Durán & Ivan Derpich & Raúl Carrasco, 2022. "Optimization of Port Layout to Determine Greenhouse Gas Emission Gaps," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-18, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy-efficiency; Environmental information; Energy literacy; Environmental concern; Postmaterialist values;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices

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