Sustainable consumption and production - Consumption behaviour

Title

Social Stigma and Consumer Benefits: Trade-Offs in Adoption of Genetically Modified Foods

Reference

Science Communication
December 20, 2011 1075547011428183

Author(s)

Damien W. Mather, John G. Knight, Andrea Insch, David K. Holdsworth, David F. Ermen and Tim Breitbarth

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Attitudes toward genetically modified (GM) foods have been extensively studied, but there are very few studies of actual consumer purchasing behavior regarding GM foods offering a consumer benefit. Using a field choice-modeling experiment, the authors investigate the trade-off between price and social desirability in consumer choices with regard to conventional, organic, and GM fruit. What consumers say they will choose in a survey and what they actually choose in a real-purchase situation may differ substantially when their decision is framed by a socially charged issue such as genetic modification. The results are analyzed in relation to established principles of diffusion of innovation.

Policy theme(s)

Biotechnology >> GMOs
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour

Keywords

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://scx.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/11/28/1075547011428183.abstract?papetoc  
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john.knight@otago.ac.nz

Title

The use and usefulness of carbon labelling food: A policy perspective from a survey of UK supermarket shoppers

Reference

Food Policy
Volume 36, Issue 6, December 2011, Pages 815–822

Author(s)

Zaina Gadema, David Oglethorpe

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

Both the process of carbon footprinting and carbon labelling of food products are currently voluntary in the UK. Both processes derive from the UK's policy for sustainable development and in particular, the UK's Framework for Environmental Behaviours that strongly advocates a social marketing approach towards behavioural change. This paper examines whether carbon footprinting and labelling food products, borne from an overarching policy imperative to decarbonise food systems, is a tool that will actively facilitate consumers to make 'greener' purchasing decisions and whether this is a sensible way of trying to achieve to a low carbon future. We do so by drawing from a survey exploring purchasing habits and perceptions in relation to various sustainability credentials of food products and particularly 'carbon', using a combination of descriptive and cluster analysis. The data, from 428 UK supermarket shoppers, reveals that whilst consumer demand is relatively strong for carbon labels with a stated preference rate of 72%, confusion in interpreting and understanding labels is correspondingly high at a total of 89%, primarily as a result of poor communication and market proliferation. Three statistically distinct clusters were produced from the cluster analysis, representing taxonomies of consumers with quite different attitudes to carbon and other wider sustainability issues. Whilst the majority of consumers are likely to react positively to further carbon labelling of food products, this in itself is unlikely to drive much change in food systems. As such, the data imply that a concerted policy drive to decarbonise food systems via voluntary carbon footprinting and labelling policy initiatives is limited by a fragmented and haphazard market approach where retailers are being careful not to disaffect certain products by labelling others within the same category. Consumers may want to make choices based on the carbon footprint of products but do not feel empowered to do so and relying on consumer guilt is inappropriate. The paper concludes that the establishment of effective linkages between food policy and food market actors to drive a targeted and coherent carbon labelling policy is needed. This would provide consumers with the opportunity to make informed choices, especially within food product categories and negate the need for retailers to depend on the demand side of the supply chain to achieve carbon reduction targets.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Behavioural change
Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Ecolabelling
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Ecolabelling

Keywords

Carbon footprint; Carbon label; Food policy: sustainable development; Behavioural change; Consumer demand

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919211001096
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david.oglethorpe@northumbria.ac.uk

Title

Times for (Un)sustainability? Challenges and opportunities for developing behaviour change policy. A case-study of consumers at home and away

Reference

Global Environmental Change
Volume 21, Issue 4, October 2011, Pages 1234-1244

Author(s)

Stewart Barr, Gareth Shaw, Tim Coles

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper examines the assertion that individuals with seemingly high levels of commitment to the environment at home may also be those engaged in less sustainable leisure and tourism behaviours, including a high dependency on air travel. This potential difference in environmental commitments between different consumption settings is placed within the context of recent policy developments that have seen the rise of segmentation as a commonly applied technique used to understand and encourage pro-environmental behaviours through the notion of 'sustainable lifestyles' and social marketing campaigns. Using data derived from a questionnaire of consumers in the UK, three distinctive, empirically-defined 'lifestyle' groups are identified, based on the respondents' environmental behaviours. Significant differences emerged in reported environmental commitments according to their consumption setting. Those with higher levels of commitment in and around the home also tended to be those who flew furthest and most frequently, whilst those with moderate-to-high commitments 'at home' often failed to transfer these activities to their holiday environments. The paper concludes by arguing that both academics and policy-makers need to address the role of different consumption settings in which behaviours are undertaken and the ways in which these relate to underlying social practices within these settings.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Behavioural change
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour

Keywords

Behaviour change; Environmental behaviour; Air travel; Tourism

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378011001166

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S.W.Barr@exeter.ac.uk

Title

Carbon footprint of food – approaches from national input–output statistics and a LCA of a food portion

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 19, Issue 16, November 2011, Pages 1849-1856

Author(s)

Yrjö Virtanen , Sirpa Kurppa, Merja Saarinen, Juha-Matti Katajajuuri, Kirsi Usva, Ilmo Mäenpää, Johanna Mäkelä, Juha Grönroos, Ari Nissinen

Study type

Peer Review Journal / Report

Abstract

The aim of the study, on which this paper is based, was to provide guidance to consumers to make environmentally responsible choices in their food consumption, to assist food supply chain stakeholders to identify the key areas for environmental improvements, and to provide policy makers with a tool for monitoring the potential impacts on climate change resulting from developments within the food sector. At the macro level, the EIO-LCA model was developed specifically for the Finnish food chain; at the micro level, LCAs were performed on 30 lunch portions. The contribution of the Finnish food chain to climate change was 14%, which comprised 40% CO₂ emissions, 25% CH₄ emissions, and 34% N₂O emissions. The share of impacts from domestic agricultural processes was the highest, at 69%. The impact of a single lunch portion ranged between 0.65 and 3.80 kg of equivalent CO₂. According to the EIO-LCA model, the average impact was 7.7 kg CO₂ eq/person daily. The consumer phase accounted for between 8 and 47% of the climate change impacts for homemade portions. In ready-to-eat portions industry and retail phases were emphasized, representing 25-38% of climate change impacts. We present an approach to steer the Finnish food sector onto an environmentally sustainable path; practical tools for consumers and farmers will especially need to be developed further.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Carbon footprint of food; National food system; Food portion; EIO-LCA approach

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611002423
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yrjo.virtanen@mtt.fi

Title

Tracing distant environmental impacts of agricultural products from a consumer perspective

Reference

Ecological Economics, Volume 70, Issue 6, 15 April 2011, Pages 1032-1040

Author(s)

Thomas Kastner, Michael Kastner and Sanderine Nonhebel

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Globally, trade flows of agricultural products are increasing. While value is typically added along the whole production chain, certain environmental impacts, such as land and water use, biomass appropriation, and soil degradation, are intrinsically linked to where the primary products originate from. When taking a consumer oriented approach on environmental problems, bilateral trade statistics can help in providing a clearer picture about the location of impacts caused by consumption elsewhere. However, in today's increasingly globalized world, consumer goods are often imported from countries other than where the primary product originated from. For instance, soybeans are transported from Brazil to the Netherlands, where they are processed into soy oil, which is shipped to Austria, where it is consumed. Utilizing bilateral trade matrices and matrix algebra, we present a method that allows to clearly link consumption patterns to the origin of primary products. In this, the method can help to provide information about consumption related, distant environmental impacts. We employ the case of land and water use linked to Austria's soy product consumption to demonstrate the approach's relevance. Finally, we outline some possible applications of this method to show its potential in enhancing understanding for informed consumer based environmental decision making.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Trade and environment

Keywords

Consumer perspective, Environmental impacts, Agricultural products, Trade

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092180091100019X
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t.kastner@rug.nl

Title

Environmental impact of building-related and user-related energy consumption in dwellings

Reference

Building and Environment
Volume 46, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 1657-1669

Author(s)

Inge Blom, Laure Itard and Arjen Meijer

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Energy consumption in dwellings contributes significantly to their total negative environmental impact. This paper quantitatively assesses the environmental impact of building-related and user-related gas and electricity consumption in a Dutch apartment dwelling using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Several scenarios for gas and electricity consumption are compared to assess what effect changes in building characteristics and user behaviour have on the environmental impacts of energy consumption. This study shows that gas consumption significantly contributes to four environmental impact categories, which can be most effectively countered by reducing the heat demand of the dwelling. A 23% reduction in gas consumption leads to up to 13% less overall environmental impacts. Particularly in buildings with low heat demand, electricity consumption dominates all environmental impact categories. These can most effectively be reduced by changing the electricity demand of the user: 47% less electricity consumption leads to a 9-45% reduction in the total environmental impact. However, since electricity consumption continues to rise, the environmental effects of electricity use may be better reduced by changing the environmental impact of the electricity supply. Theoretically, when electricity consumption remains the same, over 90% less environmental impact could be reached by using 100% wind power to generate electricity.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Behavioural change
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour

Keywords

Life cycle assessment (LCA); Dwelling; Energy consumption; Electricity mix; Consumer behaviour

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132311000503
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I.S.Blom@tudelft.nl

Title

Behaviour Change in the UK Climate Debate: An Assessment of Responsibility, Agency and Political Dimensions

Reference

Sustainability 2011, 3(6), 789-808; doi:10.3390/su3060789

Author(s)

Shane Fudge and Michael Peters

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper explores the politics around the role of agency in the UK climate change debate. Government interventions on the demand side of consumption have increasingly involved attempts to obtain greater traction with the values, attitudes and beliefs of citizens in relation to climate change and also in terms of influencing consumer behaviour at an individuallevel. With figures showing that approximately 40% of the UK's carbon emissions are attributable to household and transport behaviour, policy initiatives have progressively focused on the facilitation of 'sustainable behaviours'. Evidence suggests however, that mobilisation of pro-environmental attitudes in addressing the perceived 'value-action gap' has so far had limited success. Research in this field suggests that there is a more significant and nuanced 'gap' between context and behaviour; a relationship that perhaps provides a more adroit reflection of reasons why people do not necessarily react in the way that policy-makers anticipate. Tracing the development of the UK Government's behaviour change agenda over the last decade, we posit that a core reason for the limitations of this programme relates to an excessively narrow focus on the individual. This has served to obscure some of the wider political and economic aspects of the debate in favour of a more simplified discussion. The second part of the paper reports findings from a series of focus groups exploring some of the wider political views that people hold around household energy habits, purchase and use of domestic appliances, and transport behaviour-and discusses these insights in relation to the literature on the agenda's apparent limitations. The paper concludes by considering whether the aims of the Big Society approach (recently established by the UK's Coalition Government) hold the potential to engage more directly with some of these issues or whether they merely constitute a 'repackaging' of the individualism agenda.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Behavioural change
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour

Keywords

environmental policy, climate change, agency, behaviour, lifestyles

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/3/6/789/
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Contact the study author at:

s.fudge@surrey.ac.uk

Title

Reference

Journal of Consumer Policy
Volume 34, Number 1, 127-151, DOI: 10.1007/s10603-010-9153-2

Author(s)

Sebastian Koos

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The purchase of environmental-labelled goods is an important dimension of sustainable consumption. Existing research on environmental labels and sustainable consumption has a rather individualistic bias. Organizational and structural determinants have only recently sparked attention. In this paper, a comparative framework is used to analyse the impact of organizational varieties of environmental labelling and market supply characteristics on purchases of environmental-labelled goods in 18 European countries. Focusing on labels for organic food and ecological durables, the plurality of existing labels as well as state involvement into labelling are used as the central dimensions constituting the organizational varieties. Market structures refer to the supply of labelled goods and the dominant retailing channels that make up the infrastructure for this dimension of sustainable consumption. After giving an overview on the underlying theoretical mechanisms of the main determinants, country differences in the organization of environmental labelling as well as the market structures are outlined. To analyse the effect of these differences, individual level data of a 2007 Eurobarometer survey on purchases of environmental-labelled goods is combined with organizational and market structural indicators. Using random intercept regression models and controlling for individual socio-economic and aggregate market demand-side factors, like average per capita income, share of post-materialists, and level of generalized trust, only the market supply and retailing structure reveal a robust effect on individual purchases of environmental friendly labelled goods.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental information services>>Environmental communication>>Ecolabelling
Sustainable consumption and production>>Sustainable consumption>>Consumption behaviour
Sustainable consumption and production>>Sustainable consumption>>Ecolabelling

Keywords

Sustainable consumption; Organic food; Eco-label; Labelling; Europe

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.springerlink.com/content/v12u8u847p2mk221/
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skoos@sowi.uni-mannheim.de

Title

Reference

Journal of Consumer Policy
Volume 34, Number 1, 9-23, "Special Issue: Putting Sustainable Consumption into Practice"
DOI: 10.1007/s10603-010-9129-2

Author(s)

Annukka Berg

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The profusion of knowledge about the complexity of promoting sustainable consumption has led to calls to address the issue in a cross-cutting manner. This article discusses pioneering national sustainable consumption and production (SCP) programmes as tools for informed decision making. The analysis is based on a theory of three organizing principles for SCP policy: (1) deliberation, (2) efficiency and (3) sufficiency. These organizing principles protect and enact particular values and can be promoted in either a weak or strong manner. A comparison of three SCP programmes from Finland, Sweden, and the UK shows that different programmes emphasize somewhat different principles: programmes in the UK and Finland emphasize the efficiency principle, whereas the Swedish programme places considerable emphasis on promoting sufficiency, as well. Meanwhile, deliberation is well presented in all the programmes, but the countries apply it somewhat differently. On the whole, government commitment to the programmes is limited, and clear targets, timetables, and resources are mentioned only occasionally. Thus, rather than being credible roadmaps towards SCP, the pioneering programmes take the form of mixed toolboxes. The programmes contain many innovative and potentially effective proposals, but in responding to the challenges acknowledged in the programme documents, individual actors must bear heavy responsibilities. From this perspective, the pioneering SCP programmes also provide false reassurance and a means to outsource the promotion of SCP to non-government actors.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production>>Sustainable consumption>>Consumption behaviour
Sustainable consumption and production>>Sustainable production>>Sustainable business and industry

Keywords

Sustainable consumption and production, Policy programmes, Finland,
Sweden, United Kingdom

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/d32470816g364436/
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annukka.berg@helsinki.fi

Title

Public engagement with carbon and climate change: To what extent is the public 'carbon capable'?

Reference

Global Environmental Change
Volume 21, Issue 1, February 2011, Pages 56-65

Author(s)

Lorraine Whitmarsh, Gill Seyfang and Saffron O'Neill

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The relevance of climate change for society seems indisputable: scientific evidence points to a significant human contribution in causing climate change, and impacts which will increasingly affect human welfare. In order to meet national and international greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, there is an urgent need to understand and enable societal engagement in mitigation. Yet recent research indicates that this involvement is currently limited: although awareness of climate change is widespread, understanding and behavioral engagement are far lower. Proposals for mitigative 'personal carbon budgets' imply a need for public understanding of the causes and consequences of carbon emissions, as well as the ability to reduce emissions. However, little has been done to consider the situated meanings of carbon and energy in everyday life and decisions. This paper builds on the concept of 'carbon capability', a term which captures the contextual meanings associated with carbon and individuals' abilities and motivations to reduce emissions. We present empirical findings from a UK survey of public engagement with climate change and carbon capability, focusing on both individual and institutional dimensions. These findings highlight the diverse public understandings about 'carbon', encompassing technical, social, and moral discourses; and provide further evidence for the environmental value-action gap in relation to adoption of low-carbon lifestyles. Implications of these findings for promoting public engagement with climate change and carbon capability are discussed.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Behavioural change
Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Behavioural change
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour

Keywords

Public understanding, Climate change, Carbon, Low-carbon lifestyles

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378010000701
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WhitmarshLE@cardiff.ac.uk

Title

Reference

Author(s)

Christina Tobler, Vivianne H. M. Visschers, Michael Siegrist

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The assessment of a food product's environmental friendliness is highly challenging for consumers because such an assessment requires the consideration of various product characteristics. Furthermore, products often show conflicting features. This study uses a choice task and a questionnaire to examine how consumers judge the environmental friendliness of several vegetables. The consumers' assessment is compared with life cycle assessment (LCA) results, which represent the overall environmental impact of a product throughout its lifespan. In contrast to the LCA, consumers consider transportation distance rather than transportation mode and perceive organic production as very relevant for the environmental friendliness. Furthermore, consumers assess the environmental impact of packaging and conservation as more important than the LCA results show. Findings also suggest the current product information for vegetables is insufficient for judging their environmental friendliness. Implications for information campaigns and ecological food labeling are discussed.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming
Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Ecolabelling
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Ecolabelling

Keywords

food choice, ecological labeling, environmental assessment, sustainable consumption,consumers' beliefs, life cycle assessment

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://eab.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/01/07/0013916510372865.abstract
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Contact the study author at:

chtobler@ethz.ch