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Improving Social Acceptance of Waste-to-Energy Incinerators in China: Role of Place Attachment, Trust, and Fairness

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  • Guanghui Hou

    (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Tong Chen

    (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Ke Ma

    (BNU Business school of Beijing Normal University, No. 19, XinJieKouWai St., HaiDian District, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Zhiming Liao

    (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Hongmei Xia

    (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Tianzeng Yao

    (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, No. 92, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract

Globally, acceptance among the general public of waste-to-energy (WtE) incinerators is a crucial factor in implementing national waste-to-energy policies. This study aims to shed light on the acceptance of WtE incinerators, with a focus on anti-incinerator sentiment and the influence and interactions of place-, trust-, and fairness-based factors, with a case study in China. A total of 338 residents in the Asuwei area in North Beijing completed a survey on a proposed WtE incinerator in the vicinity. Hierarchical regression analyses indicate that place attachment positively enhances anti-incinerator sentiment through direct effects, as well as moderation and mediation effects between risk perception and opposing willingness. Furthermore, institutional trust negatively moderates the impact of perceived risk on anti-incinerator sentiment, in addition to directly reducing perceived risk. Trust also influences anti-incinerator sentiment via risk perception, attesting to the effectiveness of a casual model of trust. Likewise, fairness perception acts as another determinant of opposing sentiment, similarly to trust. These findings demonstrate the importance of using a range of instrumental and more effective strategies to promote the acceptance of renewable energy infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Guanghui Hou & Tong Chen & Ke Ma & Zhiming Liao & Hongmei Xia & Tianzeng Yao, 2019. "Improving Social Acceptance of Waste-to-Energy Incinerators in China: Role of Place Attachment, Trust, and Fairness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:6:p:1727-:d:216160
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