Unlocking rewards for sustainability: a framework for valuing pro-environmental behaviors in Polish cities

Abstract

Addressing the pressing need for urban sustainability, we propose an innovative framework for quantifying and rewarding pro-environmental behaviors among urban residents. The methodology integrates three key dimensions: individual engagement, community values, and environmental impact. Individual effort is measured using the metabolic equivalent of task rates, which capture the energy expenditure for pro-environmental actions. Community values are prioritized by allocating weights based on their local importance, established by stakeholder engagement. A comprehensive literature review is used to evaluate the specific ecological benefits of each activity, ensuring that their contributions to sustainability are measured. Focusing on Gdańsk, Poland, as a case study, a diverse set of pro-environmental actions with local importance was carefully selected and evaluated. Stakeholder input enabled objective ranking and weighting, ensuring that actions were significant and impactful. This systematic approach determines rewards, aligning them with individual effort, community goals, and environmental benefits, demonstrating the framework’s adaptability to various urban settings. The findings suggest that the framework may be effectively used in future endeavors to encourage meaningful, long-term pro-environmental behaviors. It provides a scalable solution to urban sustainability issues through tailored incentive strategies. Finally, by balancing individual efforts and environmental benefits, this study establishes a blueprint for policies that foster a globally active and environmentally mindful community.