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China's Energy Efficiency and Conservation pp 23–39Cite as

Household Energy Saving in China: The Challenge of Changing Behaviour

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Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Environment, Security, Development and Peace ((BRIEFSSECUR,volume 31))

Abstract

China’s government has introduced a number of measures to constrain the rise of household energy consumption such as energy efficiency labelling, providing discounts on energy efficient appliances, and introducing tiered tariffs. But these steps alone may not succeed in changing household behaviours to the extent required. This chapter draws on the international literature on household energy behaviour, on a small number of surveys carried out in China and on our own study in Chongqing to explore the nature of the policy challenge facing China’s government. A high degree of variability exists between different socio-demographic groups and, to a lesser extent, between regions with respect to knowledge, awareness, stated preferences and reported behaviours concerning energy saving at home. Further, the awareness-behaviour and value-action gaps are as well developed in China as in many other countries.

Dr. Philip Andrews-Speed, Principle Fellow, Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore; Email: esicpa@nus.edu.sg.

Dr. Guo Ma, Associate Professor, School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Philip Andrews-Speed

  2. School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University, Shapingba, China

    Guo Ma

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  1. Philip Andrews-Speed
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  2. Guo Ma
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Correspondence to Philip Andrews-Speed .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Bin Su

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Andrews-Speed, P., Ma, G. (2016). Household Energy Saving in China: The Challenge of Changing Behaviour. In: Su, B., Thomson, E. (eds) China's Energy Efficiency and Conservation. SpringerBriefs in Environment, Security, Development and Peace, vol 31. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0928-0_3

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