Barriers to engaging in climate change mitigation behaviors in East Asia: insights from Taipei, Taiwan

Purpose – Understanding the barriers to behavioral change that can mitigate climate change is essential for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. While this issue has been extensively studied in Western contexts, research in other geographical regions remains limited. This study aims to identify and categorize the barriers to climate change mitigation behaviors among residents of Taipei, Taiwan, and compare these findings with those from Western countries. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative analysis. Through in-depth interviews, 21 distinct barriers to mitigation behaviors were identified. These barriers were then categorized using principal component analysis into four groups: lack of perceived necessity, cost, efficacy and lack of opportunity. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the extent to which these barriers predict individuals’ mitigation behavioral intentions. Findings – Results indicate that the identified barriers significantly influence individuals’ intentions to engage in climate change mitigation behaviors. The study highlights key differences between the barriers observed in Taiwan, an East Asian cultural and geographical context, and those reported in Western countries such as the UK and the USA. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on climate change mitigation barriers in a non-Western context, addressing a significant gap in cross-cultural research. By comparing findings from Taipei with those from Western studies, the research offers valuable insights into the cultural and regional factors shaping climate change mitigation behaviors, which can inform more effective policy and intervention strategies.