Energy literacy among young adults in the European countries

Darko  Kovačič; Ana  Ulbin; Andreja  Abina; Aleksander  Zidanšek; Damjan  Krajnc

doi:10.59400/jps.v2i1.466

Energy literacy among young adults in the European countries

Darko Kovačič International Institute for the Implementation of Sustainable Development (MIITR), SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Ana Ulbin International Institute for the Implementation of Sustainable Development (MIITR), SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Andreja Abina Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Aleksander Zidanšek Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Damjan Krajnc Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Ariticle ID: 466

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/jps.v2i1.466

Keywords: energy literacy; energy consumption; awareness raising; sustainability; survey; energy-related behaviour

Abstract

Energy literacy is an essential prerequisite for informed and sustainable energy consumption habits. Our paper focuses on factors influencing young adults’ attitudes and behaviours and their knowledge of sustainable energy consumption practices. The research was conducted in five European countries, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia and Poland, and data were collected from 219 young adults between the ages of twenty-nine and thirty-nine. The methods used are statistical analyses, including principal component analysis, a technique for analysing large data sets and identifying influencing factors. We used a statistical software package (SPSS) for the analyses. Our analysis revealed five significant factors influencing the energy literacy of young adults. The key factors were education and awareness, investment in energy efficiency, age and gender, climate change and environmental protection, sustainable lifestyle and social environment. Policymakers, educators and other stakeholders can work towards creating a more energy-literate and sustainable society by understanding the key factors that influence energy literacy.

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Published

2024-09-10

How to Cite

Kovačič, D., Ulbin, A., Abina, A., Zidanšek, A., & Krajnc, D. (2024). Energy literacy among young adults in the European countries. Journal of Policy and Society, 2(1), 466. https://doi.org/10.59400/jps.v2i1.466

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Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024)

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