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How Environmental Awareness and Knowledge Affect Urban Residents’ Willingness to Participate in Rubber Plantation Ecological Restoration Programs: Evidence from Hainan, China

Author

Listed:
  • Yu Gan

    (Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China)

  • Tao Xu

    (Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China)

  • NengRui Xu

    (Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China)

  • JiLv Xu

    (Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China)

  • Dan Qiao

    (Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China)

Abstract

The rapid expansion of rubber plantations in Asian countries has led to various environmental problems. Therefore, local governments are implementing rubber plantation ecological restoration (RPER) programs as an essential solution. However, such programs can be implemented only if residents are intensely involved. Based on a survey of 521 urban households in Hainan Province, China, this study investigates the effect of environmental awareness and knowledge on residents’ willingness to participate in RPER programs. We employ a double-hurdle (DH) model to estimate residents’ participation in two stages. First, we determine whether residents wish to participate or not (PN). Then, we measure residents’ degree of willingness to participate (DWP). The results show that residents’ environmental awareness has a significant positive effect on whether they wish to PN but has no impact on their DWP. By contrast, residents’ environmental knowledge has a significant positive effect on whether they wish to PN and their DWP. The moderating effect shows that residents’ environmental knowledge significantly weakens the positive effects of their environmental awareness on whether they wish to PN. Moreover, residents’ age, educational level, employment, and place of residence substantially influence their DWP. The findings in this study can provide useful insights for policymaking on improving rubber plantation ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Gan & Tao Xu & NengRui Xu & JiLv Xu & Dan Qiao, 2021. "How Environmental Awareness and Knowledge Affect Urban Residents’ Willingness to Participate in Rubber Plantation Ecological Restoration Programs: Evidence from Hainan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1852-:d:495891
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    Cited by:

    1. Jingpeng Chen & Desheng Zhang & Zhi Chen & Zhijian Li & Zigong Cai, 2022. "Effect of Agricultural Social Services on Green Production of Natural Rubber: Evidence from Hainan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-16, October.
    2. Enzo Ferrari & Fernando Martínez-Abad & Camilo Ruiz, 2022. "Examining the Relationship between the Dimensions of the Climate-Change Competence (C3): Testing for Mediation and Moderation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-16, February.

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