Understanding the influence of individual behaviour and social networks in sustainability transitions.

A behaviour change towards sustainable food purchasing behaviour is crucially necessary for the survival of the planet. This thesis applied a mixed method approach, combining results from a cross-sectional online survey (N=474), a lab experiment (N=134) and an agent-based model (ABM) to explore how a change towards sustainable food purchasing may be achieved in society. The methodological approach of this thesis is quantitative confirmatory and exploratory. The online survey, based on main environmental psychology theories (Theory of Planned Behaviour, Norm Activation Model and habit theories) and social network theory, explored which factors significantly influence sustainable food purchasing behaviour. Findings show that social network factors influence sustainable food purchasing behaviour via psychological factors; habit, perceived behavioural control, descriptive and personal norms. Additionally, segmentation of different sustainable behaviour groups (high, medium and low) let to the development of segment specific intervention strategies. The lab experiment, measuring actual sustainable food consumption behaviour, validated and extend these findings by showing that social network members significantly influence sustainable food consumption behaviour compared to strangers. I further applied the empirical findings and theoretical knowledge to build an ABM to understand (1) the spread of sustainable food purchasing behaviour, and, (2) how three social network factors (i.e. network size, percentage of sustainable shoppers and percentage of food discussion partners in the social network) influence this spread of sustainable consumer behaviour via psychological factors shown to be relevant to influence sustainable purchasing behaviour (i.e. intention, habit, personal and descriptive norm). Findings provide evidence that there is (1) a threshold effect during the spread of sustainable food purchasing behaviour in social networks as the spread of sustainable food shopping behaviour is fastest at the beginning phase of the experiments, slowing down towards the middle and end phase. The speed of the spread of behaviour is significantly influenced by the size of the social network and the percentage of initial sustainable shoppers in the personal network (2). This research provides a first glimpse of what behaviour change towards sustainable food shopping may look like with the influence of social networks. Intervention and policy recommendations are discussed

Confluence and contours: reflexive management of environmental risk

Government institutions have responsibilities to distribute risk management funds meaningfully and to be accountable for their choices. We took a macro-level sociological approach to understanding the role of government in managing environmental risks, and insights from micro-level psychology to examine individual-level risk-related perceptions and beliefs. Survey data from 2,068 U.K. citizens showed that lay people's funding preferences were associated positively with beliefs about responsibility and trust, yet associations with perception varied depending on risk type. Moreover, there were risk-specific differences in the funding preferences of the lay sample and 29 policymakers. A laboratory-based study of 109 participants examined funding allocation in more detail through iterative presentation of expert information. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed a meso-level framework comprising three types of decisionmakers who varied in their willingness to change funding allocation preferences following expert information: adaptors, responders, and resistors. This research highlights the relevance of integrated theoretical approaches to understanding the policy process, and the benefits of reflexive dialogue to managing environmental risks.Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, EPSRC, NERC, ESR

The relationship between information processing style and information seeking, and its moderation by affect and perceived usefulness: analysis vs. procrastination

We examined the relationship between information processing style and information seeking, and its moderation by anxiety and information utility. Information about Salmonella, a potentially commonplace disease, was presented to 2960 adults. Two types of information processing were examined: preferences for analytical or heuristic processing, and preferences for immediate or delayed processing. Information seeking was captured by measuring the number of additional pieces of information sought by participants. Preferences for analytical information processing were associated positively and directly with information seeking. Heuristic information processing was associated negatively and directly with information seeking. The positive relationship between preferences for delayed decision making and information seeking was moderated by anxiety and by information utility. Anxiety reduced the tendency to seek additional information. Information utility increased the likelihood of information seeking. The findings indicate that low levels of anxiety could prompt information seeking. However, information seeking occurred even when information was perceived as useful and sufficient, suggesting that it can be a form of procrastination rather than a useful contribution to effective decision making

Redefining energy vulnerability, considering the future

Within the EU, energy poverty is believed to affect at least 9.8% of households. Energy poverty can be broadly defined as a households' inability to meet its energy needs. This is a problem that affects all European countries, but narrow interpretations of data based on notions of material deprivation may lead to energy poverty being overlooked or not considered an issue by policymakers. The EU Energy Poverty Advisory Hub makes a number of essential points when it comes to the measurement, definition, and potential policies and measures to deal with energy poverty. We build on this, using the term energy vulnerability in order to encompass the segment of population identified as living in energy poverty as well as those at risk of becoming energy poor in the future. We use a capabilities approach with a doughnut economics framework to expand on the concept of energy vulnerability as a form of capabilities deprivation, allowing for greater recognition of those that are affected in the present and intergenerationally. This framework is applied using mixed methods consisting of both a Swiss-wide survey of 1,486 people and 8 semi-structured interviews with energy stakeholders to investigate the knowledge gap on energy vulnerability in Switzerland. The framework may be applied and have wider repercussions for other parts of the world where energy poverty is not directly addressed, and where using the term of energy vulnerability may help direct policies in a more dynamic and responsive manner. Furthermore, this article identifies some limitations of basing energy vulnerability definitions on data which focuses on material deprivations as this may risk overlooking those that are vulnerable due to other reasons such as building energy efficiency. We find that levels of energy poverty/vulnerability are higher than estimated in official statistics, highlighting the need for tailored policies both in Switzerland and elsewhere. Levels of energy vulnerability in Switzerland may not be reflected elsewhere, but certainly draw attention to the potential misrecognition of energy vulnerability which may be more widespread than previously believed. We examine existing policies that may help to reduce energy vulnerability, as well as suggest other potential mitigation methods

The utility of using a top-down conduct-of-life-based approach for explaining energy consumption behaviour : evidence from Switzerland

Erworben im Rahmen der Schweizer Nationallizenzen (http://www.nationallizenzen.ch)Programmes for reducing household energy consumption have so far shown only minor effects. The literature offers many explanations for this, such as rebound effects, efficiency paradox and culturally rooted daily routines. In addition, interventions are often designed in a one-size-fits-all manner and do not account for societal differences through segmentation and tailored interventions. One of the challenges associated with the implementation of tailored interventions is the lack of agreement on how to identify societal segments, and the lack of clarity on which segment should be addressed by which type of intervention. Against this backdrop, we explore the applicability of the theory-driven Otte conduct of life segmentation with three energy consumption behaviours. Utilizing survey data from 5015 respondents, we demonstrate that there are significant conduct-of-life-specific differences in showering, endowment with information and entertainment electronics and air travel. The only two conduct of life groups who demonstrate consistent behavioural patterns across the three behaviours are the reflexives, who consistently over-consume, and conventionalists, who consistently under-consume energy. We put forward suggestions on how to apply our findings to tailor interventions

Structural Equation Modeling as a Route to Inform Sustainable Policies: The Case of Private Transportation

The availability of big data allows a wide range of predictive analyses that could inform policies for promoting sustainable behaviors. While providing great predictive power, adopted models fall short in explaining the underlying mechanisms of behavior. However, predictive analyses can be enhanced by complementary theory-based inferential analyses, guiding tailored policy design to focus on relevant response mechanisms. This paper illustrates the complementary value of multidisciplinary inferential models in informing large predictive models. We focus on Structural Equation Modeling, an approach suitable for a holistic examination of different pathways and hypotheses from multiple disciplines. Drawing on an interdisciplinary theoretical framework we develop an empirically tractable model and apply it to a sample of household data from Switzerland. The model focuses on the relationships that delineate the underlying mechanisms for energy consumption behaviors in the case of private transportation. The results are discussed in light of possible contributions to policies aiming at the promotion of sustainable travel behavior as well as data requirements for analyses relying on big data

Changing Routinized Household Energy Consumption Using the Example of Washing, Cooking, and Standby: A Randomized Controlled Field Experiment of Home Energy Advice

Despite advances in understanding routines, there is little knowledge about which aspects of routinized behavior people adjust during interventions. In this study, we applied an adjusted social practice theory framework to disentangle routinized energy consumption, focusing on energy services related to washing, standby, and cooking. We investigate the potential of home energy advice to change elements of routinized behaviors, namely meanings, knowledge, and technologies. Using a randomized controlled field trial on a probabilistic sample of households, we found short-term treatment effects related to increased usage of lids during cooking and improved knowledge of IT-related energy consumption, as well as negative effects regarding multi-sockets and washing frequency. Our findings suggest that meanings (e.g., preferences underlying routinized behaviors) are less subject to change, and that sociodemographic variables are associated with routinized behaviors in complex ways. Our disentangling of energy demand into elements of routines enables us to show how home energy advice may change behaviors and knowledge. This study highlights the benefits of a multifaceted perspective for understanding household energy consumption and can be used to inform intervention and policy design