Residents’ Cognition and Behavior Related to Eco-Environmental Risks from the Development of Large Coal Power Plants: A Case Study in Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia

Yan Ma, Yan Ma, Zhiguo Cao, Shuyi Li, Bowen Lv, Ziyuan Ruan, Lina Wang, Hong Yu and Zhaohua Lu
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Yan Ma: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Yan Ma: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Zhiguo Cao: State Key Laboratory of Water Resource Protection and Utilization in Coal Mining, China Energy Investment Corporation, Beijing 100011, China
Shuyi Li: Guorui Ward Low Carbon Economy and Technology Center, Beijing 100031, China
Bowen Lv: Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing 100011, China
Ziyuan Ruan: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Lina Wang: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Hong Yu: State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing 100012, China
Zhaohua Lu: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: The development of large coal power plants is often accompanied by environmental pollution, thereby influencing the lives of the surrounding residents, resulting in a “not-in-my-backyard” effect and associated social injustice. To mitigate these influences, we conducted field research and questionnaire surveys with individuals living in areas around the Xilinhot coal power plant to explore their cognitive and behavioral psychological changes in response to the environmental risks of the coal power plant and the factors influencing such changes. A “cognition-perception-behavior” model was constructed for residents coping with the ecological environment influenced by the development of the coal power plant. Cognition of eco-environmental risks had a significant effect on the perception of eco-environmental risks which, in turn, significantly promoted the adoption of adaptive behaviors. Residents had a strong cognition and perception of eco-environmental risks but an extremely low likelihood of adopting relevant adaptive behaviors. Thus, affective responses can increase the residents’ cognition and perception of eco-environmental risks, and the communication of risk information can help them evaluate eco-environmental risks rationally.

Keywords: coal power plant; eco-environmental risks; adaptive behavior; risk perception; structural equation model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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