Factors contributing to abandonment of household biogas digesters in rural China: a study of stakeholder perspectives using Q-methodology

Meiying Xie, Xiang Cai (), Zhengli Xu, Nan Zhou and Dongqing Yan
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Meiying Xie: Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology
Xiang Cai: Guilin University of Electronic Technology
Zhengli Xu: Guilin University of Electronic Technology
Nan Zhou: School of Management, Shinawatra University
Dongqing Yan: Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2022, vol. 24, issue 6, No 10, 7698-7724

Abstract: Abstract Biogas is a renewable energy source which plays an important role in addressing rural energy and environmental pollution problems. However, more and more rural households are reluctant to use biogas digesters and they have been generally rejected. This research focused on Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region of China, and used the Q-methodology to analyze the reasons behind the barriers for adopting biogas digesters for rural households in China. By visiting and interviewing rural households and government managers, we found that there are four main reasons for the limited use of rural household biogas digesters: (1) reductions in the rural work force and land area; (2) a poor system of follow-up service for biogas digesters; (3) the advantages of alternative energy; and (4) raw material shortages. Moreover, there is blame shifting among government managers and farmers on the reasons for abandonment of household biogas digesters in rural China. This study is helpful to understand the actual reasons behind the abandonment of biogas digesters and the rural renewable energy source management in China.

Keywords: Household biogas digester; Q-methodology; Abandonment; Stakeholder perspectives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01754-w

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