Low carbon readiness in social context: Introducing the social context of environmental identity model

Abstract

Low carbon readiness (LCR) is an aspect of environmental identity, an individual citizen's willingness to reduce carbon emissions and transition to low carbon lifestyle as a personal striving. Nevertheless, individuals' personal strivings are strongly influenced by the social context in which they are situated. We propose the social context of environmental identity model, which postulates that social contexts for LCR have a nested structure. The micro-level Home is linked with other households through social networks at the meso-level Community, which are further embedded in a macro-level Society. These contexts are likely to influence LCR through different mechanisms. Home can exert direct influences by monitoring and reminding each other of the need to engage in low carbon behaviours. Community affects individuals' readiness by providing social capital. The macro-level Society exerts social influence through societal norms not only its current descriptive norm but also through its dynamic norms about the changing trends into the future. We have tested and found support for these propositions in three national cross-sectional data sets from Australia. Our discussions will centre around a need to investigate social and cultural processes involved in climate change mitigation, and to link these insights to public policies.

Accelerating low-carbon urban transitions in Australia

“…Institutions-including federal and state government policies and schemes, statutory and strategic planning, and city and community programs supported by public funding-must shift from reinforcing existing practices and structures to unlocking and incentivising low-carbon practices and innovations. Kashima et al (2021) point to the importance of public policies for cultivating low-carbon readiness in societies. In Australia, policy compliance is high, indicating that the role of the state is paramount for leading and driving behavioural shifts and shaping the socioeconomic landscape for new businesses, knowledge, and innovations to emerge.…”

Assessment of climate change mitigation readiness in the Kingdom of Bahrain

“…• Neofytou et al, 2020 • No evidence was found • Salvia et al, 2021• Hoppe et al, 2014• O'Brien et al, 2018• Kashima et al, 2021 Climate change mitigation readiness mitigation plans, baseline emissions inventory, emissions reduction targets and sectors for implementing mitigation measures, along with explicit targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy (Salvia et al, 2021). Components of mitigation policies were also analyzed in Hoppe et al (2014).…”

“…Four case studies were presented with data being collected using surveys. As an aspect of environmental identity, individuals’ willingness to shift to a low-carbon lifestyle was also explored in Australia in Kashima et al (2021). Telephone surveys were used to collect the data in three years, from 2015 to 2017.…”

Social psychology of climate change in the Asian context: Introduction to special issue

“…Utilising national surveys on Australian respondents, Kashima et al (2021) examined another intrapersonal psychological process-individuals' environmental identity-that motivates their personal striving toward Low carbon readiness (LCR); that is, the willingness to reduce carbon emissions and to lead a low carbon lifestyle. Specifically, the research enriched the study of people's low carbon identity by studying how LCR is embedded in social situations.…”