Pro-environmental Change Research Articles

The Moral Potential of Eco-Guilt and Eco-Shame: Emotions that Hinder or Facilitate Pro-Environmental Change?

The emotions of guilt and shame have an effect on how individuals feel and behave in relation to environmental crises, yet studies of the moral potential of these emotions remain limited. From a philosophical perspective, some scholars have defended using eco-guilt and eco-shame as morally constructive emotions due to their ability to evoke more pro-environmental behaviour. Meanwhile, others have posited that there are pitfalls to these emotions, claiming that they perpetuate a problematic individualised focus, which diverts attention from the collective and structural conditions considered necessary for pro-environmental change. This paper critically examines these two differing perspectives on eco-guilt and eco-shame, applying insights from moral and political philosophy and the sociology of emotions. Through this exploration, we try to nuance the discussion concerning the moral potential of eco-guilt and eco-shame. We argue that if individuals are able to break their introspective, consumption-based loops of eco-guilt and eco-shame alleviation, the emotions may enforce an individual ethical demand to be more sustainable and foster an ethical and political pro-environmental drive. Furthermore, experiences of eco-guilt and eco-shame have the potential to spread socially and help catalyse emotional shifts within society, sparking a greater political and social pro-environmental movement. Therefore, eco-guilt and eco-shame may indeed transcend the purported introspective and individual-level focus and have the potential to influence broader collective and structural conditions and thus foster environmental change.

A multi-scale lifecycle and technoeconomic framework for higher education fleet electrification

Transportation accounts for one-quarter of all energy related greenhouse gas emissions. As it pertains to transport electrification, higher education institutions—such as universities—can model solutions that affect broader society. Despite this, higher education’s role in fleet electrification adoption has been understudied. We, therefore, modeled an archetypical higher education institution to analyze the carbon and economic payback periods of three electrification scenarios (Business-as-Usual, Targeted Electrification, and Full Electrification) using a cradle-to-grave lifecycle and technoeconomic approach. Given the archetypical higher education institution fleet of 368 vehicles, results show an economic ratio plateau point of about 8 years at 20 fuel-based cars replaced by electric vehicles and a carbon payback period peak of roughly 10 months at 50 fuel-based cars replaced. We then performed a multi-scalar analysis by leveraging implementation theory. We find that higher education institutions that adhere to the tenets of implementation theory are poised to be pro-environmental change agents in many regions and countries. The methods and findings herein can be adapted to other institutions, regardless of fleet size, and can bolster relevant decision-making outcomes now.

Overcoming inaction: An agent-based modelling study of social interventions that promote systematic pro-environmental change

Even though many people have pro-environmental convictions, oftentimes they do not actually engage in pro-environmental behaviour. We hypothesise that behavioural change is hampered by a social feedback loop that reinforces the status quo: People routinely underestimate others’ pro-environmental convictions, and when they expect that others care less, they are unlikely to show more pro-environmental behaviour themselves, which reinforces the general impression that people do not care. This leads to the question of how to effectively elicit a push from the current state to a state in which pro-environmental behaviour becomes more widespread. We examine this question with an agent-based model (ABM) which was parameterised using individual-level survey data collected in several Dutch neighbourhoods. We explore whether interventions that make people talk more about their convictions versus interventions that enhance the visibility of pro-environmental behaviour can trigger individuals to update their expectations and consequently tip the system into a more environmentally-friendly state. Our simulations suggest that enhancing the visibility of pro-environmental behaviour with an intervention may be most effective to motivate durable pro-environmental change. Motivating more talk on the topic only generates temporary effects in our simulations. These results can provide valuable guidance for empirical research on norm-based interventions and it may eventually inform the development of evidence-based policies that effectively encourage pro-environmental change.

Using VR for Science Communication: Presence, Message Perception, and Pro-Environmental Effects

This research investigates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a science communication tool to promote pro-environmental change. A laboratory experiment ( N = 70) was conducted to examine the short-term effects of VR immersive video, in comparison with flat screen video, on level of presence, message perception, and cognition. Viewing the VR video produced greater levels of presence, which was associated with increased positive perceptions of the video, perceived importance of water issues, and pro-environmental attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Implications are discussed in terms of how immersive VR can be used as science communication tool.

Rapid review: Guides and frameworks to inform planetary health education for health professions.

Human actions have led to a range of global environmental changes. Health professionals must be prepared to deliver systemic changes to mitigate and adapt to the ecological crisis. This rapid review aimed to describe exemplar frameworks that inform planetary health education across health professions. The rapid review methodology was informed by a scoping review process. A targeted search strategy was conducted using one representative database and additional strategies such as expert consultation and citation searching were used. Results are described narratively. Of the 11 637 articles, 17 were eligible for inclusion. The frameworks differed, with many recently developed for health professions broadly using a range of methodologies, including qualitative research, opinion/consensus data, literature reviews, and adaptation of previous models. Models such as metric-based scoring indicators and Sustainable Quality Improvement were featured in the frameworks, as were the application of First Nations Natural Laws. This rapid review identifies and showcases accessible, interdisciplinary frameworks to inform the integration of planetary health in curricula, highlighting a rapidly evolving field through which interdisciplinary collaborations in healthcare are important to inform its pedagogy and application. Health education is an important component of health promotion; and thus this rapid review offers a range of approaches that health professionals, health promotion practitioners, and educators can use to inform the integration of planetary health, including sustainable healthcare, into curricula. SO WHAT?: Educational frameworks are informed by research and practice and provide key guidance to practitioners and educators; summarising key available planetary health education frameworks consolidates and guides effective education and builds on the existing body of knowledge to support urgent pro-environmental change.

A Drop in the Ocean? Fostering Water-Saving Behavior and Spillover Through Information Provision and Feedback

Pro-environmental change is essential to address climate change. Impact from behavior change interventions increases if non-target behaviors also change. Here, we explore such behavioral spillover effects following a water conservation behavioral intervention and examine whether they are mediated by changes in relevant identities and beliefs. We used a persuasive intervention to encourage 150 participants to reduce daily shower-times over 14 days to conserve water. The intervention comprised information-provision, eliciting a shower time reduction commitment, and (for half the sample) progress feedback. We found that participants reduced shower time (by 38%) and intended to engage more in water-saving and pro-environmental activities, but we found no evidence of behavioral spillover (i.e., non-targeted intention change was not mediated by change in the target behavior). There was no additional effect on behavior change of receiving feedback. We discuss the implications of these findings for spillover in theory and practice.

Psychological barriers to climate-friendly food choices

The food supply chain is a significant contributor to climate change. By following a climate-friendly diet, consumers have the potential to significantly reduce the effects of climate change. However, despite the growing awareness of the climate-friendly food options that are available, consumers still choose foods with a high carbon footprint. Following a survey design, this study aimed to determine the extent to which four psychological processes (denial, conflicting goals and aspirations, tokenism, and interpersonal influence) limited climate-friendly food choices in a sample of adult consumers residing in Gauteng, South Africa. Data were collected from 146 participants using the Climate-friendly Food Choices Scale and the Psychological Barriers Scale. Results indicated that, overall, the barriers were negatively associated with climate-friendly food choices. Regression analysis indicated that the four psychological barriers explained 10.6 % of the variance in climate-friendly food choices. Conflicting goals and aspirations and denial were identified as the two main psychological barriers to climatefriendly food choices. It is therefore essential to consider the psychological processes that could have a limiting effect on the adoption of climate-friendly food choices in our approach to encourage pro-environmental change.

Scientist Warning on Why you Should Consume Less; Even if Wider Society Doesn’t

Overconsumption presents a major obstacle to social and environmental sustainability. Systemic social, legal, and economic strategies are absolutely necessary, but individuals are still accountable for their lifestyle choices and associated environmental footprints. Anti-consumption (rejection, reduction, reclamation) has its limitations, but could contribute to pro-environmental change, helping resolve biodiversity and climate crises. Regardless of societal consumption patterns, individuals can still make great gains in well-being and personal development by upholding their environmental and social values, minimizing personal resource consumption. Challenging the cultural norms of overconsumption requires individuals to employ mental fortitude in attempts to act justly toward the entire community of life. As a species, given our rational capabilities and ability to meet our basic needs, we are highly capable of bettering ourselves and our environment.

"I don't think anybody really knows": Constructing reflexive ignorance in climate change adaptation.

Responding to the existential threat of climate change is often seen as requiring greater reflexivity. Imbued with notions of resilience and reflection, reflexivity is assumed to contribute to pro-environmental change. However, as the need to manage climate impacts becomes more immediate, political struggles over climate adaptation have become increasingly apparent. These impacts occur most often within local communities, in the context of competing economic interests and differing interpretations of climate science. Thus while it is increasingly difficult to deny climate change, conflicting priorities can lead to ignorance. In these circumstances, how communities build and share knowledge, and negotiate responses is central. Based on a study of a vulnerable region in Australia, we identify three processes through which the local community mobilized to disrupt local climate change adaptation. These included emphasizing uncertainty about the science of climate change, encouraging fear about property prices, and repositioning property owners as victims of climate adaptation policy. We argue that this response to climate adaptation constitutes the production of reflexive ignorance, which reinforces skepticism around scientific authority and defends particular economic interests.

Motivating Society-wide Pro-environmental Change

We are facing environmental crises, but pro-environmental action is seriously lagging behind. Contrary to popular beliefs, we argue that this is not caused by people undervaluing the environment but rather by people structurally underestimating how much others care. Only through showing that many do value the environment will we inspire society-wide pro-environmental action.

Examining a Model to Measure Green Packaging Practices Among Consumers in Malaysia: A Sustainable Contributor to Achieving Smart Environmental Goals

This study primarily aims to test the factors in the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model and their impact on green purchase intention and green buying behaviour towards green food packaging practices in Malaysia. The research hypotheses are tested accordingly among the restaurants and cafeterias in various places of Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 164 usable sample responses were collected from working and student population in Malaysia by using a self-administered questionnaire based on convenient sampling method. The outcomes of the study reveal that the environmental attitude and internal perceived behaviour have a significant positive impact on green purchase intention. Further results in this research show that subjective norms and external perceived behavioural control also have a substantial impact on green buying behaviour in favour of green food packaging in Malaysia. The finding of this study contributes to the Malaysian government's environmental policy-making which aims to encourage pro-environmental change among people and business groups for achieving smart environmental goals through their green purchase intention and green buying behavior.

A gilded trap in Dominican rice farming

The Dominican rice sector is highly industrialized, with substantial levels of inputs and mechanization used to maximize the production of a rice monocultures. These practices have negative environmental effects and leave the sector ecologically and economically vulnerable. In this paper we identify barriers to and opportunities for pro-environmental change in the Dominican rice sector by applying the lens of path dependence to several of data sources. These include roughly two hundred in-person, structured interviews that our team conducted with rice farmers in the northwestern Dominican province of Montecristi, as well as key informant interviews with government officials involved in the agricultural sector there.The analysis proceeded in three steps. First, we descriptively analyzed the farmer interview data. Second, we developed a conceptual model of the rice commodity chain to identify other relevant actors in the system and the implications that these actors' roles and interests have for the future path of the system. Finally, we constructed a path dependence model and tested the applicability of the "gilded traps" scenario to explain the characteristics this model contains. We find that the Dominican rice sector can be characterized as a gilded trap, with the highly profitable industrial model driving farmer debt and vulnerability, and leaving them without substantial access to alternative technical assistance that departs from the goals and underlying assumptions of this model. We conclude by identifying the primary change factors that could disrupt the system, including local-level collective-action among farmers to join a group sustainable rice certification scheme, as well as the DR-CAFTA agreement that will lower tariffs and quotas on rice imports.

Religiousness and environmental concern: A multilevel and multi-country analysis of the role of life satisfaction and indulgence

Religion influences a wide variety of consumer attitudes and behaviors. However, existing research on the relationship between religion and environmental concern (EC) remains fragmented, typically concentrating on one or very few national cultures, and frequently focuses on religious affiliation rather than religiousness. The current research addresses the relationship between religiousness and EC through the analysis of data from 47,130 individuals residing in 34 countries. Using multilevel analysis, the results reveal an overall positive relationship between religiousness and EC. The respondents' life satisfaction and indulgence (measured at the country level) moderate this relationship. Taken collectively, the results suggest that marketers and public policy makers interested in promoting environmentally-friendly practices may leverage religiousness and related values as agents of pro-environmental change.

Analysis of the generation of economic results in the different phases of the pro-environmental change process

Much of the research in environmental management has focused on analysing whether a firm's environmental efforts can be considered an argument in favour of or against its economic results, concluding that favourable results are not guaranteed, but depend on different aspects. This paper studies pro-environmental change processes in firms, focusing on how economic profit is generated during the process of changing to high degrees of environmental proactivity. Based on a sample of 303 Spanish firms located in the Aragon region, we classify four cluster categories of pro-environmental change. The description and comparative analysis of these categories leads us to consider that pro-environmental change is related to economic performance. The study's conclusions show that the economic benefits derived from pro-environmental change are greater when said change is more advanced or proactive.

How Is Environmental Proactivity Accomplished? Drivers and Barriers in Firms’ Pro-Environmental Change Process

The contaminating effects of economic activity and the scarcity of natural resources has led firms to a situation in which corporate strategy has been compromised by environmental issues. The objective of this paper is to analyse some of the factors determining the pro-environmental change process by considering the drivers encouraging firms to progress in environmental protection and the barriers that curb this progress. Using a structural equation model implemented on a sample of 303 firms, our results confirm a direct and positive effect of stakeholder pressure and of the expectations of obtaining competitive advantages from the pro-environmental change process. The results also confirmed the indirect effect of stakeholder pressure on pro-environmental change through managers’ expectations of obtaining competitive advantages, which play a mediating role in the firm’s response. Although managers interpret the barriers we have studied as obstacles to adopting environmental protection measures, they do not prevent any firm from reaching advanced levels of pro-environmental change.

Proactive environmental strategy development: from laggard to eco-innovative firms

PurposeThe environmental management literature has focussed on the analysis of the variety of strategic options with regards to environment protection, without providing an interesting detail of the transformation and change process between the different alternatives. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study pro-environmental change processes in firms, focussing on the width and the intensity of environmental measures implemented in a three-year period in different areas (productive process, product, management and supply chains).Design/methodology/approachPerforming a cluster analysis based on a sample of 303 Spanish firms, the study finds four categories of pro-environmental change.FindingsThe comparative analysis of these categories leads the authors to describe the pro-environmental change process as one with four stages that firms can go through. The first pro-environmental stage focusses on process measures. The second stage focusses on the adoption of management measures together with process measures. In the third stage, the firm moves after including measures in the product and in the supply chains. Companies that wish to advance further in this process, reaching the fourth stage of pro-environmental change, do so by increasing the intensity of the different measures adopted in previous stages, and through eco-innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThe main contribution of this paper relative to the previous literature is a more detailed vision of the strategic possibilities in environmental protection, providing information about the process of change and about how firms evolve to more advanced environmental strategy stages. Knowledge of this evolution process, little studied in the previous literature, helps us to understand the complexity and strategic significance of adopting environmental protection measures. This knowledge is useful for academics and for public and private managers responsible for designing and developing environmental strategy.Originality/valueOne of the most original findings of this paper points out that it is possible to identify a pattern of environmental change through which firms can evolve. In this change process, firms start by adopting process measures, while they adopt eco-innovation behaviour only in the most advanced stage of environmental proactivity.

Driving pro-environmental change in tourist destinations: encouraging sustainable travel in National Parks via partnership project creation and implementation

ABSTRACT This paper explores a key challenge in introducing more sustainable transport practices at destinations: achieving modal shift in visitor travel from cars to physically active or public transport to reduce tourism's environmental impacts. It centres on using partnership led projects bringing together the many public and private sector organisations involved, to drive destination change and development. To date, research has centred on pro-environmental change for individuals and individual organisations: little is known about the mechanisms of pro-environmental change via complex multi-partner organisations. The paper reports research into the processes involved in successful projects to provide alternatives to car travel in three UK National Parks by using partnerships to obtain funding and implement change. Based on case studies informed by in-depth interviews with key stakeholders involved in pro-environmental change implementation, narratives are analysed to explain the change process, and mapped against existing literature and theories of change. Conclusions show the role of inspired individuals, supportive senior management, strong governance, better visitor experiences and, most significantly, communication and communication of the benefits of change to stakeholders. The research suggests why and how change occurs in partnerships, contributes to better theories of change and offers guidance on understanding and implementing change processes worldwide.

Pro-Environmental Change and Short- to Mid-Term Economic Performance

The aim of this study is to contribute empirically to the understanding of the economic effects of pro-environmental change in firms. First, we analyse whether pro-environmental changes performed in different sections of firms’ value chain (products, processes and supply and distribution channels) generate positive economic returns in the short- to mid-term. Second, we analyse whether measures implemented by firms to improve environmental performance (pro-environmental change) have been complemented with changes in organisational design, and whether these changes help increase short- to mid-term economic performance. Through an analysis of a sample of 303 firms, we have collected empirical evidence that confirms that pro-environmental change improves short- to mid-term business performance both directly and indirectly, through the mediating effect of improvements in organisational design that often go hand in hand with these processes.

Interacting for the Environment: Engaging Goffman in Pro-Environmental Action

While there are profound disagreements about how more sustainable forms of living might be achieved, most research on pro-environmental action recognizes it as a fundamentally social challenge—demanding shifts not merely in individuals’ attitudes and behaviors, but also in social norms, contexts, and practices. Despite the social nature of the challenge, perhaps the most fundamental social medium—social interaction—remains undertheorized in this area. To address this gap, this article applies Erving Goffman's understandings of social interaction to an ethnographic case study of a pro-environmental change initiative called Environment Champions. The analysis shows that social interaction plays a crucially important role in shaping responses to pro-environmental change processes, a role that has the potential to both help and hinder the spread of pro-environmental action. The article concludes by exploring how Goffman's ideas develop and extend current debates about pro-environmental behavior change.

Pro-environmental Intrapreneurship: The Role of Life-work Identity Spill-over Effects

Companies play a key role in the energy transition under way in many countries across the globe. Often, respective programs such as environmental management systems are limited to a top-down, managerial approach and are insufficient to provide the momentum for a genuine transition process. Recent studies draw attention to grassroot pro-environmental initiatives of employees which provide a yet untapped potential for pro-environmental change in corporations. To date research on spillover effects of pro-environmental behavior from private life to work is limited and does not examine the underlying processes. Moreover, authors focus on in-role routine behavior like switching off the light in the office and disregard the potential of intrapreneurial, extra-role initiatives. We contribute towards filling this gap by (i) extending existing spillover approaches to account for the underlying processes – particularly identity integration – influencing the intention to spillover from the private/public to the working domain, (ii) integrating intrapreneurship behavior at the workplace into the behavioral repertoire, and (iii) drawing attention to the contextual embeddedness of employee initiatives at the workplace. We provide a comprehensive model of life-work-spillover effects that integrates insights from identity research, from research on pro-environmental behavior at work as well as from the intrapreneurship and organizational citizenship literature.