Effect of Residents’ Involvement with Small Hydropower Projects on Environmental Awareness

Keigo Noda, Kazuki Miyai, Kengo Ito and Masateru Senge
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Keigo Noda: Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
Kazuki Miyai: Graduate School of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
Kengo Ito: Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
Masateru Senge: Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Small hydropower plants utilizing unharnessed energy in existing irrigation systems are a prominent source of renewable energy. In Japan, land improvement districts play a key role in the management of irrigation systems, but face serious problems in terms of management sustainability and require participation from non-farmers. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of residents’ involvement in small hydropower projects on their environmental awareness and understanding of the projects’ multifunctional regional value. We administered a questionnaire survey to 238 households in three areas: Itoshiro, Kashimo and Ibigawa. The respondents were categorized into four groups: participation, recognition, knowledge and control. Based on the degree of respondents’ involvement in small hydropower projects, inclusive relationships between their involvement and awareness were revealed. These relationships suggest that the trigger of resident involvement is a key factor in developing sustainable small hydro facilities within existing irrigation systems.

Keywords: small hydropower; regional resource; participation; environmental awareness; irrigation system; land improvement district; participatory irrigation management; Long-Term Plan of Land Improvement; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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