The impact mechanisms of climate change on the transition to residents’ green lifestyles

Abstract

The green transformation of the demand side is crucial for mitigating climate change risks and achieving dual carbon targets. However, existing research primarily emphasizes adaptive behaviors in response to climate risks, often neglecting the significant potential of mitigative actions. By focusing on the adoption of green lifestyles as a key strategy, this study sheds light on the crucial role individuals can play in mitigating climate change. Focusing on 279 cities in China and combining detailed weather data and socio-economic indicators, this study constructs an analytical framework to assess the specific impacts of climate change on residents’ lifestyles. The results indicate that: (1) When the daily average temperature rises above 18°C, the temperature has a positive impact on residents’ green lifestyles; (2) Between average temperatures of 18°C and 30°C, green technological innovation mediates the relationship between climate change and residents’ green lifestyles, while environmental policies positively moderate this relationship when average temperatures exceed 18°C; (3) The impact of temperature on residents’ green lifestyles exhibits a two-year lag and cumulative effect; (4) In regions with moderate economic levels and in subtropical and warm temperate zones, the effect of temperature elevation on enhancing residents’ green lifestyles is particularly significant. By shifting focus to demand-side mitigative behaviors, this study deepens the understanding of individual contributions to climate change mitigation and provides empirical evidence for designing strategies that promote sustainable development.