Rebooting Behavioral Science to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract

There is no question that climate change threatens the very existence of the human species. Indeed, there is mounting evidence that the sixth mass extinction event is well and truly underway. Mitigating the threats imposed by a warming climate requires a dynamic and coordinated approach, including a strong international coalition embodied by the Paris Agreement, significant investment in technological innovations to redesign the way resource-intensive commodities are produced, and a renewed emphasis on shifting climate-relevant behavior toward more sustainable alternatives. The latter has been largely neglected by the international community and funding agencies. This article serves to identify the international context in which efforts to reduce emissions using behavioral science are embedded. We highlight some of the work of behavioral scientists to enhance pro-environmental behavior that will prove vital to large-scale efforts to reduce emissions. We propose a model for designing experimental evaluations of multisector community interventions to reduce emissions on large scales. Finally, we issue a call to action for behavioral scientists and community organizers to collaborate in a new age of behavioral science research to curb the climate crisis. Keywords Climate change . Community intervention . Greenhouse gas emissionsThe imminent and existential threats posed by a warming climate have been well documented (see Grant, 2011, and Thompson, 2010, for reviews). Achieving net-zero emissions as soon as possible is vital to mitigating these threats. But anthropogenic emissions continue to rise (Jackson et al., 2018), and climate-induced human migrations (termed "climigrations") are in full flux across the globe (Palinkas, 2020). The harsh impacts of climate change on human well-being are no longer in the future. They have arrived in full force.

Effective Mainstreaming of Agricultural Emissions into Climate Action Agenda: The Case of Institutions and Smallholder Dairy Production Systems, Western Kenya

“…In essence, CSA frameworks could decrease vulnerability to climate-related risks, improve capacity to respond to shocks, as well as lower emission intensities [98]. Agriculture is one of the sectors with potential for an immediate and large-scale reduction in emissions [23]. Since emission intensities are indicators of mitigation in agriculture [90], they are adopted as a strategic vision in the mainstreaming of agricultural emissions into the climate action agenda [81].…”

“…Since emission intensities are indicators of mitigation in agriculture [90], they are adopted as a strategic vision in the mainstreaming of agricultural emissions into the climate action agenda [81]. Agriculture has thus emerged as one of the sectors with potential for an immediate and large-scale reduction in emissions [23].…”

“…Broadening climate action areas has great potential for immediate scaling mitigation and the closing of GHG emission gaps [5,[20][21][22]. Promoting climate friendly policies at a community level is especially critical in reducing emission gaps [23]. Land use sectors [7,9], and food systems in particular, have been identified as critical in carbon transitions and capturing feedbacks [24].…”

Exploring the Use of Behavioural Techniques in Serious Games for Energy Efficiency: a Systematic Review and Content Analysis

“…Attention instead is turning to the behaviours of communities and individuals (Biglan et al, 2020). If climate change arises from human behaviour, as seems to be the case with deforestation, pollution, over-consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (Gelino et al, 2021), it stands to reason that efforts to address it necessitate behaviour-based approaches (Bonner & Biglan, 2021). One domain in which large scale behaviour change is needed is energy consumption.…”

“…While behaviour change interventions show promise, they are often completed in small community-specific contexts (Biglan et al, 2020), with little consideration as to how these interventions may be integrated into policy or scaled (Bonner & Biglan, 2021). To explore the wider impacts of behaviour change initiatives, analysis of the specific principles which mediate outcomes is needed (Gelino et al, 2021).…”