“Production-living-ecology” transition adaptation and willingness to consume clean energy: Evidence from Jiangsu Province, China

Abstract

Insufficient use and consumption of clean energy is one of the key factors hindering China's current efforts to achieve the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. To clarify the intrinsic representation of residents' willingness to consume clean energy is crucial for promoting the development of clean energy transition. “Production-Living-Ecology” (PLE), as a integrated concept describing human activities and regional development, provides a fresh perspective to understand a just energy transition. However, this topic remains under-explored in the literature. This study utilises the extended expectancy value theory to construct a research model from the perspectives of PLE transition adaptation and willingness to consume clean energy (WCEC) in 12 villages, counties, and cities in Jiangsu Province, China. Then 535 valid questionnaires were empirically analysed through logistic regression and structural equation modelling. The results show that the increase of income (coefficients = −0.182) and residence level (coefficients = −0.117) has a significant negative impact on residents' WCEC. PLE transition adaptation positively affects residents' WCEC, in which living transition adaptation has the greatest influence (coefficients = 0.497), followed by production transition adaptation (coefficients = 0.449) and ecology transition adaptation (coefficients = 0.009). The perceived value of clean energy consumption (coefficients = 0.301) and the perceived clean energy policy (coefficients = 0.315) had multiple mediating effects between PLE transition adaptation and residents' WCEC. Meanwhile, pro-social behaviours positively moderated residents' WCEC. These findings contribute to the understanding of residents' intrinsic WCEC, which in turn guides residents towards clean energy use for just energy transformation development.