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Public Awareness, Lifestyle and Low-Carbon City Transformation in China: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Yan Wu

    (Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Pim Martens

    (University College Venlo, Maastricht University, Nassaustraat 36, 5911 BV Venlo, The Netherlands)

  • Thomas Krafft

    (Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Low-carbon city transformation is an important action area of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) that aims to reach peak CO 2 emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Responding to global climate change is not only a national responsibility but also an individual responsibility and very much depends on societal participation and acceptance. While many scholars argue that public participation would be critical to low-carbon cities developing in China, there is apparently a lack of sufficient research on the level of public participation. This systematic review aims to summarize the current related research about public awareness on low-carbon city transformation in China, and learn about the challenges and barriers of public attitude and behaviour towards the low-carbon lifestyle. This study reveals that: (1) although most scholars discussed the conception and policies of low-carbon cities, research methods, the theoretical foundation and the number of cities targeted for research are limited; (2) a public’s attention to low-carbon cities mainly focus on a low-carbon life, and there is a clear gap between low-carbon awareness and behaviour; and (3) although scholars had different opinions about the factors that affect low-carbon behaviour, most of them agree that education and government policy have an influence on the populations’ low-carbon behaviour in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Wu & Pim Martens & Thomas Krafft, 2022. "Public Awareness, Lifestyle and Low-Carbon City Transformation in China: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:16:p:10121-:d:888777
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jing Bai & Chuang Tu & Jiming Bai, 2024. "Measuring and decomposing Beijing’s energy performance: an energy- and exergy-based perspective," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(7), pages 17617-17633, July.
    2. Wenshuo Dong & Renhua Chen & Xuelin Ba & Suling Zhu, 2023. "Trend Forecasting of Public Concern about Low Carbon Based on Comprehensive Baidu Index and Its Relationship with CO 2 Emissions: The Case of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-23, August.

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