Driving role of perceived psychological factors in households’ low-carbon behaviors: A study based on the Chinese household carbon generalized system of preferences

Reducing household carbon emissions is crucial to achieve carbon neutrality. The household carbon generalized system of preferences (HCGSP) has attracted widespread attention as a new solution to promote low-carbon behavior among Chinese households. However, the perception of CGSP among households and the underlying mechanisms that drive low-carbon behavior remain unclear, creating barriers to the wider adoption of the HCGSP in households. Taking the HCGSP pilot city of Shenzhen as the study area, this study explored the effects of families with different personality traits on their perception of HCGSP and low-carbon behaviors from the perspectives of perceptual psychology and behavioral science using the extended theory of planned behavior and the Big Five personality theory as the research framework. Findings suggest that attitudes generally influence families' low-carbon behavioral intentions. Perceived personal interest (PPI) and policy perception (PA) also affected low-carbon behavioral intentions significantly. We believe that attention should be paid to the influence of attitudes on households’ low-carbon behaviors and the development of universal HCGSP interventions based on attitudes, along with publicity and education activities related to PPI and PA, which will help promote low-carbon behaviors in households.