Bridging Individual Behavior and Technological Solutions in Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Effectively combating climate change requires a dual approach: individual and industrial transformation. However, to mitigate climate change the synergies between individual Pro-Environmental Behavior (PEB) and climate engineering techniques, such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), have often been neglected, thereby promoting only one of them. This study examines the relationship between PEB and the acceptance of CCS, taking into account attitudes toward climate change, norms, trust, and uncertainty aversion. Our analysis of survey data reveals a positive relationship between PEB and the acceptance of CCS, with PEB serving as a mediator linking attitudes toward climate change to CCS-acceptance. Our findings demonstrate the urgency of advancing PEB and technology-integrated strategies for climate mitigation. Therefore, this study contributes to the ongoing conversation about how to combine technological solutions with individual actions to successfully mitigate climate change.