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Environmental motivations behind individuals’ energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving behaviour: evidence from Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium

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  • Vladimir Udalov

    (University of Wuppertal / European Institute for International Economic Relations (EIIW))

  • Jens Perret

    (International School of Management, Cologne)

  • Veronique Vasseur

    (Maastricht University)

Abstract

The impact of environmental motivations on the individual’s decisions regarding investments in energy efficiency and the adoption of energy-saving habits are analysed on the basis of a representative online survey carried out in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Various energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving activities are considered. Accounting for endogeneity in the basic estimation model, in particular regarding energy conservation activities, the subject’s experience with extreme weather events are used as an instrument for environmental motivations. This study provides empirical evidence that individual energy efficiency investments are generally driven by environmental motivations. Additionally, for the Dutch and the German sub-samples environmental motivations positively affect daily energy-saving activities. The findings suggest that policy programmes aimed at raising environmental awareness and forming pro-environmental motivations can lead to an increase in energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Vladimir Udalov & Jens Perret & Veronique Vasseur, 2017. "Environmental motivations behind individuals’ energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving behaviour: evidence from Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 481-499, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:iecepo:v:14:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10368-017-0381-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10368-017-0381-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Vladimir Udalov & Paul J.J. Welfens, 2017. "Digital and Competing Information Sources: Impact on Environmental Concern und Prospects for Cooperation," EIIW Discussion paper disbei233, Universitätsbibliothek Wuppertal, University Library.
    2. Jorge Cunha & Manuel Lopes Nunes & Fátima Lima, 2018. "Discerning the factors explaining the change in energy efficiency," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 163-179, December.
    3. Vladimir Udalov & Paul J. J. Welfens, 2021. "Digital and competing information sources: Impact on environmental concern and prospects for international policy cooperation," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 631-660, October.
    4. J. K. Perret & V. Udalov & N. Fabisch, 2022. "Motivations behind individuals’ energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving behavior: The case of China," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 129-155, February.

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