Factors and measures in easing psychological barriers in climate change mitigation behaviors in China and Japan

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12278
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 64060:Environmental policy and social systems-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Kaida Naoko 筑波大学, システム情報系, 准教授 (60456704)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 環境配慮行動 / 気候変動 / 心理的障壁 / 行動変容 / 環境意識 / 文化的特性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research aimed to examine the structural associations of psychological barriers (PB) to climate change mitigation behaviors (CCMB) in Japan and China and to evaluate the effects of PB mitigation measures following the socio-cultural characteristics of each country. Data analyses on the parent-child surveys in the two countries confirmed the validity of the PB scale on CCMB in both countries and its negative correlations with the behaviors. The analysis results suggest that children’s intentions the pro-environmental decision-making at home are more substantial in China than in Japan. In addition, parents and children influence their PB each other in the Chinese sample but not in the Japanese one. The survey data analysis on the effectiveness of information provision as measures to mitigate PB suggests that it could work by providing an experience of function and convenience in target behaviors in China and emphasizing interpersonal relationships in Japan.

Free Research Field

環境心理学、環境配慮行動分析

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の第一の学術的意義は、欧米文化圏においておおむね確認されてきた気候変動緩和行動における心理的障壁の日本と中国における存在について、評価尺度の妥当性を含めて確認したことにある。また、アジア文化圏内においても、日中では気候変動緩和行動と心理的障壁の傾向に相違があることを明らかにした。これらの研究成果は、個人レベルでの行動変容を促す上でのより効果的な政策支援や仕組みづくりに寄与することが期待される。