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Volume 16, Issue 3 p. 159-168
Reviews

Nudging pro-environmental behavior: evidence and opportunities

Hilary Byerly,

Corresponding Author

Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

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Andrew Balmford,

Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

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Paul J Ferraro,

Carey Business School and Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health and Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

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Courtney Hammond Wagner,

Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

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Elizabeth Palchak,

Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

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Stephen Polasky,

Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN

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Taylor H Ricketts,

Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

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Aaron J Schwartz,

Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

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Brendan Fisher,

Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

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First published: 08 March 2018
Citations: 67

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.