Attitude toward and Awareness of Renewable Energy Sources: Hungarian Experience and Special Features

Zoltán Szakály, Péter Balogh, Enikő Kontor, Zoltán Gabnai and Attila Bai
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Zoltán Szakály: Institute of Marketing and Commerce, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Péter Balogh: Department of Research Methodology and Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Enikő Kontor: Institute of Marketing and Commerce, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Zoltán Gabnai: Department of Business Economics, Institute of Applied Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Attila Bai: Department of Business Economics, Institute of Applied Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary

Energies, 2020, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: The current paper analyzes the awareness of renewable energy sources (RES), the relationship between self-reported and actual knowledge, and the correlation among the knowledge of renewable energy sources, the characteristic stereotypes, and the typical attitude of different social groups to energy, comparing them with international experience. A nationwide representative questionnaire-based survey was carried out involving 1002 people in Hungary in 2019. Better education, a higher income, an active white-collar profession, and a health- and environment-conscious approach to life (LOHAS (lifestyle of health and sustainability) segment) are definitely an advantage when it comes to knowledge of renewable energy sources. No significant relationship was detected in terms of age; however, in cluster formation, young people were typically found to be better informed. Overall, the actual knowledge of the Hungarian respondents is more favorable than the self-reported one, and the basic level of knowledge of energy sources in the case of wind and hydropower exceeds international experience. The social factors of better knowledge essentially correspond to the international trends; however, regarding firewood, solar, and wind energy, the average Hungarian has certain false stereotypes that can be considered typical. The assessment of convenience and that of environmental aspects are almost the same.

Keywords: knowledge; LOHAS; stereotype; convenience; environmental aspects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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