"Nudging pro-environmental behavior: evidence and opportunities" by Hilary Byerly, Andrew Balmford et al.

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

Title

Nudging pro-environmental behavior: evidence and opportunities

Authors

Hilary Byerly, University of Vermont
Andrew Balmford, University of Cambridge
Paul J. Ferraro, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Courtney Hammond Wagner, University of Vermont
Elizabeth Palchak, University of Vermont
Stephen Polasky, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Taylor H. Ricketts, University of Vermont
Aaron J. Schwartz, University of Vermont
Brendan Fisher, University of Vermont

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2018

Abstract

Human behavior is responsible for many of our greatest environmental challenges. The accumulated effects of many individual and household decisions have major negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health. Human behavioral science blends psychology and economics to understand how people respond to the context in which they make decisions (eg who presents the information and how it is framed). Behavioral insights have informed new strategies to improve personal health and financial choices. However, less is known about whether and how these insights can encourage choices that are better for the environment. We review 160 experimental interventions that attempt to alter behavior in six domains in which decisions have major environmental impacts: family planning, land management, meat consumption, transportation choices, waste production, and water use. The evidence suggests that social influence and simple adjustments to decision settings can influence pro-environmental decisions. We identify four important gaps in the evidence that provide opportunities for future research. To address these gaps, we encourage collaborations between researchers and practitioners that look at the effects of embedding tests of behavior-change interventions within environmental programs.

Rights Information

Recommended Citation

Byerly H, Balmford A, Ferraro PJ, Hammond Wagner C, Palchak E, Polasky S, Ricketts TH, Schwartz AJ, Fisher B. Nudging pro‐environmental behavior: evidence and opportunities. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 2018 Apr;16(3):159-68.