How public cognition influences public acceptance of CCUS in China: Based on the ABC (affect, behavior, and cognition) model of attitudes

摘要

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is regarded as a promising approach to mitigate global warming. Public acceptance plays a key role in the decision whether it could be adopted widely. The study develops a behavior model to predict the public acceptance of CCUS based on the ABC (Affect, Behavior, and Cognition) model of attitudes. A survey of public in China shows that public cognition has a significant effect on public acceptance. Perceived benefits have a higher indirect effect than perceived risks. Meanwhile, trust moderates the relationship between public cognition and perceived risks/benefits. And the relationship between perceived benefits and acceptance is intensified when the fairness is high. This study explores the internal mechanism between public cognition and public acceptance, such knowledge would allow policymakers to develop more targeted interventions aimed at enhancing public acceptance of CCUS.