How does mindfulness affect pro-environmental behaviors? a qualitative analysis of the mechanisms of change in a sample of active practitioners

Objectives While there is theoretical and empirical evidence for a positive relationship between mindfulness and pro-environmental behaviors, so far research into mindfulness-based sustainability trainings with meditation novices yielded underwhelming results. At the same time, there is a lack of qualitative research into the mindfulness and sustainability nexus. The objective of this qualitative research was to study the potential mechanisms linking mindfulness practices and individual engagement in pro-environmental behaviors in a sample of meditators. Methods This research is based on a reflexive thematic analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews with active meditators, analyzed under a constructivist epistemology and experiential orientation to data interpretation. Results Five themes describe the mindfulness-induced behavior changes experienced by the interviewees: awakening of the mind (self-regulation), awakening of the heart (relational capacities), internalizing environmental motivation, eudaimonic well-being, and deepening mindfulness. A thematic map displays the multitude of factors mediating the process of change. Conclusions This study revealed that for those interviewed, the degree to which mindfulness practices can encourage pro-environmental behaviors depends on the level of individual commitment towards mindfulness as a lifestyle. Particularly, the integration of mindful living principles in form of the informal practice of mindfulness plays a key role to implement behavior change. Yet even though this research identified five positive factors for change, the specific context of the interviewee sample combined with general methodological drawbacks call for a careful interpretation of the results regarding its applicability to the general population. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the mindfulness-sustainability nexus and shows the potential of qualitative methods to research complex intra-individual change processes and long-term behavior change

Openness in participation, assessment, and policy making upon issues of environment and environmental health: a review of literature and recent project results

Issues of environment and environmental health involve multiple interests regarding e.g. political, societal, economical, and public concerns represented by different kinds of organizations and individuals. Not surprisingly, stakeholder and public participation has become a major issue in environmental and environmental health policy and assessment. The need for participation has been discussed and reasoned by many, including environmental legislators around the world. In principle, participation is generally considered as desirable and the focus of most scholars and practitioners is on carrying out participation, and making participation more effective. In practice also doubts regarding the effectiveness and importance of participation exist among policy makers, assessors, and public, leading even to undermining participatory practices in policy making and assessment

A critical analysis of the role of the urban climate resilience nexus in London

Although London boasts ambitious climate resilience (CR) targets, implementation has so far been unconvincing, in part due to a lack of integration between policy areas. Nexus thinking focuses on the interlinkages between policy areas to overcome silos which inhibit policy integration. Green infrastructure, sustainable transport and urban form can all result in CR, however an integrated approach to these areas is not evident in the London context. This article explores their role through a nexus lens, the urban climate resilience (UCR) nexus, by focusing on policy implementation in the Boroughs of Greenwich and Southwark. The research is two-tiered, firstly, through policy analysis, used to understand how current policy performs in relation to the UCR nexus, as well as informing the second phase of semi-structured expert interviews to investigate the structures in place to deliver policy. Despite little evidence of nexus thinking, London does have innovative solutions to policy integration, particularly through sustainable transport projects. However, Greenwich and Southwark demonstrate resource and governance issues that inhibit delivery. Nexus thinking can be the catalyst to support delivery; although more innovative approaches to valuation methods, partnership delivery, monitoring and evidence are imperative if the UCR nexus is to be harnessed to deliver CR