Residents’ behavioural intentions to resist the nuclear power plants in the vicinity: an application of the protective action decision model

Abstract

Nuclear power is growing rapidly in China. The ultimate goal of developing nuclear power is to mitigate the energy crisis, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure sustainable economic development. However, the ‘not-in-my-backyard’ (NIMBY) attitude may influence the implementation of nuclear power projects. This study explores the determinants of behavioural intentions to resist nuclear power plants (NPPs) based on the protective action decision model (PADM). A survey of the residents (N = 432) near the Haiyang NPP significantly validated the hypothesized relations. Results suggest that information acquisition and public participation can significantly predict perceived knowledge. Perceived knowledge is important in predicting perceived benefits, NIMBY attitude, and behavioural intentions. Moreover, two inverted-U relationships for perceived knowledge with the NIMBY attitude and with behavioural intentions are observed. Furthermore, the NIMBY attitude and behavioural intentions are significantly stimulated by perceived risks, but failed to be motivated by perceived benefits. An inverted-U relationship between perceived benefits and perceived risk is also indicated. The results that the NIMBY attitude and residential distance to NPP have played significant roles in predicting behavioural intentions are obtained. Implications of our results and areas of further researches are discussed in this article as well.

Keywords:

• Anti-NPP behavioural intentions
• perceived knowledge
• perceived risks
• NIMBY attitude
• information acquisition

Notes

1. See http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2014-11/19/content_9222.htm

2. Conventional category includes those actions such as lobbying and distributing press releases. Demonstrative protests include those actions such as petitions and street demonstrations. Expressive protests include actions mainly directed (internally) towards the members of a group to reinforce in-group cohesion and identity (e.g. addressing members and holding cultural events). Confrontational category includes non-violent, but illegal actions, which aim to disrupt official policies or institutions (e.g. disturbances, occupations, and blockades). Violent protests include those events that imply some form of physical violence (e.g. symbolic and physical violent clashes).