The role of financial, social and informational mechanisms on willingness to use bioenergy

In order to implement bioeconomy strategy and seek climate change mitigation, the enhancement of bioenergy production and consumption is required. Looking at a bottom-up approach in which a society can choose its renewable energy supplier, it is important to analyze what mechanisms contribute to the willingness to use bioenergy. In this paper, the Lithuania case, when the citizenry got a chance to choose an independent energy supplier, was considered. Applying the structural equation modelling the impact of financial, social and informational mechanisms, knowledge about bioeconomy and about the benefit on the environment and the willingness to use bioenergy was evaluated. The results showed that the financial mechanism and knowledge about bioenergy and the benefit on the environment influenced the willingness to use bioenergy the most. Information mechanism also influenced this intention. Meanwhile, social mechanism had no effect both on knowledge level and intention to use bioenergy. Therefore, this study could contribute to the formation of bioeconomy policy and the enhancement of bioenergy usage in the household sector. (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper explores the importance of increasing bioenergy production and consumption in order to implement the bioeconomy strategy and address climate change. Using the case of Lithuania, the study identifies that financial mechanisms and knowledge about bioenergy and its environmental benefits have the greatest influence on the willingness to use bioenergy. Information mechanisms also play a role in shaping this intention, while social mechanisms have no impact on knowledge level or intention to use bioenergy. This research contributes to the formulation of bioeconomy policies and the promotion of bioenergy usage in the household sector.