Comparing the relative mitigation potential of individual pro-environmental behaviors

Abstract

Abstract Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are modifying climate patterns on a global scale. Behavior changes at the household level can help limit the magnitude of carbon emissions and associated climate change. The objective of this study is to determine which individual actions have the largest potential for reducing household greenhouse gas emissions. Past behavior change research has focused on the reduction potential of direct emissions in one or two household domains at a time, often overlooking the indirect emissions associated with food consumption. Here, the potential greenhouse gas emissions reductions are compared for seven individual pro-environmental behaviors in the transportation, housing, and food domains. For the average household in North America and Europe, eating fewer animal products has the largest greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential of the behaviors studied, followed by switching to more fuel-efficient vehicles. Additional analyses reveal that air transportation might have larger emission reduction potential than dietary changes, especially for higher-income households that fly frequently. Targeting these high-impact behaviors will be more cost-beneficial for climate change policies and programs. This study can help guide these intervention efforts.