Changes in energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the Lithuanian household sector caused by environmental awareness and climate change policy

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events forced policymakers to take stricter commitments to mitigate climate change. The household sector, which is responsible for one-third of greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions is also important when mitigating climate change. However, there is still a lack of research which analyzes the changes in electricity and energy for heating consumption and CO2 emissions caused. Furthermore, the aim of this paper is to analyze the determinants such as: environmental awareness (knowledge about the environment, attitudes towards energy behavior, and pro-environmental behavior), climate change policy (renovations, choice of green electricity supplier) and social-demographic variables of electricity, energy for heating, electricity consumption and CO2 pollution caused in 2022 in Lithuania. The results showed that energy for heating consumption and CO2 emissions caused decreased significantly from 2017 to 2022. Meanwhile, electricity consumption increased but CO2 pollution caused changed insignificantly. From the main determinants, only education level significantly and negatively affected electricity consumption and its carbon dioxide emissions. Environmental knowledge and pro-environmental behavior significantly and positively influenced electricity consumption and its pollution. Energy consumption for heating significantly and negatively depended on education level, environmental knowledge, and renovation level. Meanwhile, renovation and choice of green electricity supplier significantly and negatively determined carbon dioxide emissions caused by energy consumption for heating. Thus, these results confirmed the importance of climate change policy implementation, particularly the promotion of renovation processes, and renewable energy consumption.

Automated summary

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events has led policymakers to commit to stricter measures for mitigating climate change. However, there is a lack of research on the changes in electricity and energy for heating consumption and CO2 emissions. This study aims to analyze the determinants of electricity, energy for heating, electricity consumption, and CO2 pollution in Lithuania in 2022, including environmental awareness, climate change policy, and social-demographic variables. The results show a significant decrease in energy for heating consumption and CO2 emissions, while electricity consumption increased. Education level, environmental knowledge, and pro-environmental behavior significantly influenced electricity and energy for heating consumption and their pollution. The promotion of renovation processes and renewable energy consumption is crucial for effective climate change policy implementation.