Behavior, culture, and climate: Exploring the drivers of low-carbon behaviors to inform policy and planning

Project name and -number: Behavior, culture, and climate: Exploring the drivers of low-carbon behaviors to inform policy and planning
Project leader: Göran Finnveden , Division of Sustainability Assessment and Management, SEED, KTH
Other participants in the project from KTH: David Andersson
Financing: Formas, 2024-02461
Project period: 2025-09-01 - 2029-08-31

The interplay between individual motivations, social norms, and structural factors. Using a dataset of 4,831 individuals that integrates financial transaction data, survey responses, and registry information, the project investigates how these factors shape consumption practices, emissions, and overall carbon footprints. By analyzing both direct and indirect effects of low-carbon behaviors like car-free living or plant-based diets, we assess how rebound and spillover effects are influenced by behavioral drivers. This analysis provides insight into the quasi-causal relationships between behaviors and motivations, deepening our understanding of proenvironmental behaviors.
The research also explores the broader policy relevance of these behaviors, particularly for urban and spatial planning. By linking behavioral insights with physical environment data the project provides recommendations for promoting sustainable living. Additionally, it examines how behaviors influence public attitudes toward climate policies, offering key insights for designing effective and widely supported policies.
Ultimately, the findings will contribute to climate policy and planning by shedding light on the mechanisms that drive low-carbon behaviors, supporting efforts to mitigate climate change through effective demand-side strategies and informed urban development

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