Research in this area shows a complex relationship between environmental awareness and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Increased awareness of one’s own carbon footprint can be a first step toward more sustainable behaviors, but it is not a guarantee of reduced emissions. On the contrary, there is often talk of a gap between increased awareness and changed lifestyle—a so-called “action–awareness gap.” Even if people are aware of for example climate change and which behaviors lead to high emissions, factors such as accessibility, cost, social norms, and habits can prevent changes from occurring. At the individual level, experimental research shows that the behavioral effect of specific information about one’s own energy use or climate impact often leads to reductions of between 2-5%. However, research also shows that there is often a return to previous behaviors after an initial activation phase (see, for example, “The Use of Green Nudges as an Environmental Policy Instrument [38]”).
About author:
David Andersson
Postdoc, Institutionen för rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap. Chalmers, Göteborg
My research often focuses on households’ (un)sustainable consumption patterns and how they differ between groups. In my studies, I have examined factors influencing household greenhouse gas emissions, whether there is a link between well-being and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as how rebound effects vary across groups with regard to their assumed intentions.
I work on analyzing household consumption patterns. I run the company Svalna (www.svalna.se), which develops and provides technological solutions and platforms to help individuals and organizations measure and reduce their climate impact. Data from Svalna’s app is used in my own research as well as in that of others. I am also the founder of the card game Klimatkoll (www.kortspeletklimatkoll.se).
