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A new approach to explain farmers’ adoption of climate change mitigation measures

Author

Listed:
  • Albert Moerkerken

    (Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Julia Blasch

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Pieter Beukering

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Erik Well

    (CLM Research and Advisory)

Abstract

The determinants of farmers’ decisions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are currently not well understood. This study takes several new angles in investigating farmers’ climate change mitigation behaviour. Based on two identical surveys among representative samples of Dutch farmers, this study examines the underlying determinants and motivating factors for three different types of climate change mitigation measures on farms: energy saving, the production of renewable energy and reduction of emissions of methane and nitrous oxide (non-CO2 emissions). Furthermore, the study explores whether farmers’ awareness and behaviour has been influenced by a communication campaign carried out by the government of the Netherlands between 2012 and 2015. Four major conclusions emerge. Firstly, the analyses demonstrate that accounting for the cost-effectiveness and technology readiness level (TRL) of different types of climate change mitigation measures provides for a better understanding of the factors that motivate farmers to adopt these measures. Secondly, neither the willingness to take GHG reduction measures nor knowledge on GHG emissions are consistent motivating factors for energy-related measures. Thirdly, it seems that external factors, such as economic hardship, dominate the overall environmental awareness of farmers. Fourthly, the farmer’s propensity to innovate proved to be the strongest and most consistent predictor of both the willingness and the actual adoption of climate change mitigation technologies. Therefore, focusing on making farmers more open to change and general innovation in campaigns in the agricultural sector might be more effective than campaigns focusing specifically on climate change mitigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Albert Moerkerken & Julia Blasch & Pieter Beukering & Erik Well, 2020. "A new approach to explain farmers’ adoption of climate change mitigation measures," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 159(1), pages 141-161, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:159:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10584-019-02595-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-019-02595-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. J Blasch & B van der Kroon & P van Beukering & R Munster & S Fabiani & P Nino & S Vanino, 2022. "Farmer preferences for adopting precision farming technologies: a case study from Italy," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 49(1), pages 33-81.
    3. Junqiao Ma & Wenfeng Zhou & Shili Guo & Xin Deng & Jiahao Song & Dingde Xu, 2022. "The influence of peer effects on farmers’ response to climate change: evidence from Sichuan Province, China," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 175(1), pages 1-23, November.
    4. Behrendt, Karl & Paparas, Dimitrios, 2021. "Proceedings of the 4th Symposium on Agri-Tech Economics for Sustainable Futures, 20th – 21st September 2021, Harper Adams University, Newport, United Kingdom," Agri-Tech Economics Proceedings 316594, Harper Adams University, Land, Farm & Agribusiness Management Department.
    5. Theodoros Skevas & Ray Massey & Jasper Grashuis, 2022. "Farmer adoption and intensity of use of extreme weather adaptation and mitigation strategies: evidence from a sample of Missouri farmers," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 1-23, September.
    6. Behrendt, Karl & Paparas, Dimitrios, 2021. "Proceedings of the 4th Symposium on Agri-Tech Economics for Sustainable Futures, 20th – 21st September 2021, Harper Adams University, Newport, United Kingdom," Land, Farm & Agribusiness Management Department 316594, Harper Adams University, Land, Farm & Agribusiness Management Department.

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