An empirical examination of energy consumption, behavioral intention, and situational factors: evidence from Beijing

With the increase in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, promoting an energy-saving lifestyle among residents has become an urgent environmental and social need. Studying factors that influence household daily energy-saving behaviors may help the government draft policies for reducing the energy consumption and promoting the sustainable development of the human economic society. In this study, we investigate the features of energy-related situational factors, individual/household energy consumption behavioral norms, and energy-saving behavioral intentions by performing a questionnaire survey in Beijing. We examine the relationships among the mentioned aspects by applying factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Results show that among the three aspects assessed, situational factors most significantly and effectively influence the residents to assume energy-saving behaviors. Energy-saving behavioral norms partly mediate the relationship between situational factors and behavioral intention. We propose practice policy implications on the basis of the results. In particular, the positive influences of situational factors should be strengthened, and relevant policy measures should be emphasized to establish a situational background beneficial for accelerating the formation or transformation of energy-saving behaviors.