Although many Swedes express both interest in environmental issues and concern about the effects of human activities on the climate, voluntary changes in individuals’ consumption behaviors are not as common. To bridge this gap between attitudes and behaviors, politicians can use various instruments to help people break unsustainable habits and adopt more sustainable alternatives. There are many different options for political action, including legislation, price-based controls, and information campaigns. However, research indicates that for these measures to work optimally and gain sufficient public acceptance, multiple actions should be implemented simultaneously (for example, price adjustments on both environmentally harmful and environmentally friendly products or environmental taxes combined with the introduction of better alternatives). This also requires measures at different societal levels—from national to local—to work in coordination, which demands cooperation between the state and municipalities. Sustainable consumption patterns are not just an individual or household responsibility; political tools can also be directed at producers, retailers, and the public sector, which, as a large consumer of various goods and services, can make a significant impact.
About author:
Simon Matti
Professor of political science, Luleå University of Technology and Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), University of Gothenburg
I am a professor of political science. My main research interests are in environmental politics and policy, focusing on the emergence of and (political) solutions to large-scale collective action problems, such as climate change and resource depletion. Theoretically, my research lies at the intersection of political science, social and environmental psychology, and behavioral economics, with a methodological emphasis on experimental and survey methods.
Simon.Matti@ltu.se
0920-492331
