Classifying intentions for carbon neutrality participation through latent class analysis

Abstract

This study aims to classify citizens' intentions to participate in carbon neutrality activities, emphasizing the crucial role of public engagement in achieving sustainability goals amid the climate crisis. The climate crisis has rapidly become one of the most pressing challenges to global sustainable development, with carbon neutrality as a key objective. To understand variations in citizens' willingness to engage in carbon neutrality efforts, we conducted a Latent Class Analysis (LCA) on responses from 800 residents of Cheongju, South Korea, categorizing their willingness to participate in 13 different carbon neutrality activities. The analysis identified three distinct groups: 'Active Participation,' 'Limited Daily Life Participation,' and 'Passive Participation,' each reflecting different levels of awareness and practice in response to the climate crisis. The findings highlight that both individual awareness and peer behavior are significant factors influencing participation in carbon neutrality activities. The practical implications of this study involve creating targeted strategies to enhance public engagement in carbon neutrality, offering valuable insights for policymakers and climate advocates in developing effective interventions to promote a more sustainable society.

Keywords

• Climate crisis
• Carbon neutrality
• Climate crisis awareness
• Public participation
• Latent class analysis (LCA)