Residents’ Cognition and Behavior Related to Eco-Environmental Risks from the Development of Large Coal Power Plants: A Case Study in Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia

The development of large coal power plants is often accompanied by environmental pollution, thereby influencing the lives surrounding residents, resulting in a “not-in-my-backyard” effect and associated social injustice. To mitigate these influences, we conducted field research questionnaire surveys with individuals living areas around Xilinhot plant to explore their cognitive behavioral psychological changes response risks factors such changes. A “cognition-perception-behavior” model was constructed for residents coping ecological environment influenced plant. Cognition eco-environmental had significant on perception which, turn, significantly promoted adoption adaptive behaviors. Residents strong cognition but an extremely low likelihood adopting relevant Thus, affective responses can increase residents’ risks, communication risk information help them evaluate rationally.