Willingness and influencing factors of rural Tibetan households to undergo energy transition: Evidence from China

Abstract

Energy transition is crucial for enhancing energy security and addressing climate change. A better understanding of individuals' willingness and its influencing factors can help develop effective policies to promote energy transition. This study aims to analyze the rural Tibetan households' willingness to undergo energy transition and its influencing factors in China. The results indicate that traditional solid fuels remain the primary energy types in rural Tibetan households. Respondents show a higher willingness to undergo the cooking energy transition, with 95.25 % willing to undergo the cooking energy transition and 25.32 % willing to undergo the energy transition in both cooking and heating. Receiving government support, having access to channels for obtaining policy information, willingness to participate in social activities, and perceiving the negative impacts of using traditional solid fuels positively influence respondents' willingness to undergo energy transition in both cooking and heating. Conversely, the distance from home to the nearest market, the proportion of agricultural income, and the number of relatives and friends visited during festivals have a negative influence. These findings provide valuable references for effectively promoting energy transition in rural areas, especially for ethnic minorities in the plateau areas.