Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development—Investigating Intention and Consumption among Low-Income Households in an Emerging Economy

Abstract

To mitigate the harmful effects of climate change and progress toward achieving sustainable development goals, renewable energy sources should be available to low-income households. Households depend heavily on traditional energy sources. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the determinants that influence the intention and consumption of renewable energy among low-income households in Malaysia. Quantitative data was collected from 420 households through structured interviews. Analysis was conducted using SEM-PLS. The results revealed that perceived benefits and environmental concerns influence environmental attitudes. Motivation, skills, and knowledge affect subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, respectively. The study also found that attitude towards the environment and perceived behavioral control influence households’ intention towards renewable energy consumption and renewable energy consumption behavior. The results provided a clear idea of households’ intention in emerging economies towards renewable energy consumption to protect environmental damage from the harmful effects of the traditional use of energy sources. Therefore, policymakers in developing nations should focus on the feasibility of renewable energy projects and design group-agnostic campaigns for low-income households to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability through the mass adoption of renewable energy.