Theme 3: Understanding and influencing pro-environmental behaviour: Research projects 2008/2009

EV0502: Unlocking habits to enable pro-environmental behaviours

This project will review literature on the role of habit in shaping behaviour. The project will predominantly involve desk research to synthesise the literature on habit (including pro-environmental behaviours and other areas such as health and transport).  The research will include a scoping phase to design potential projects to test hypotheses emerging from the review.

EV0503: Public Understanding of Sustainable Water Use in the Home

This research project used qualitative research methods to explore the following objectives:

  • Understand people’s aspirations towards water using products and water consumption
  • Unpack consumer understanding of ‘good’ water use
  • Explore people’s understanding of the need, and ability, to use water in sustainable way
  • Final report (EV0503)
EV0504: Public perceptions of short term actions government could take to mitigate climate change

This research will explore what further short term actions the public think the Government could take to mitigate climate change - particularly where these are perceived as a barrier to further individual action. The research involves primary (focus groups, online omnibus survey, stakeholder interviews) and secondary research (literature review, case studies).

EV0505:  Encouraging more pro-environmental behaviour amongst SMEs

This research will be undertaken as a desk based review to provide evidence on:

  • The factors that influence pro-environmental business behaviour amongst SMEs
  • The barriers and motivators pertinent to encouraging pro-environmental business behaviour
  • The information and sources of advice and actions that can be taken by SMEs on climate change, resource efficiency and protection of natural resources
  • Project details (EV0505)
EV0506: ‘Moments of change’ as opportunities for influencing behaviour

This project will review evidence to assess whether life events (such as having a baby) and macroeconomic events (such as the credit crunch)  are useful opportunities to encourage pro-environmental behaviour. 

EV0508: Exploring Catalyst Behaviours

The key aim of this research is to carry out a literature review to explore whether  one positive environmental behaviour (e.g. recycling) can have a knock on effect and result in more pro-environmental behaviours across the board (e.g. energy efficiency). The research also includes pilot fieldwork.

EV0509 – Tracker survey of public attitudes and behaviours towards the environment.

This survey will track a core subset of people's beliefs, attitudes, and values in relation to the environment, climate change and pro-environmental behaviour, from the 2007 survey, as well as assess some new areas. It will monitor reported motivations and barriers, and self reported behaviours across a range of behavioural areas (in the home and travel).  This survey has been commissioned jointly with the Energy Savings Trust

EV0510: Food Synthesis Review

The project will synthesise the evidence on the factors driving consumer food behaviours and apply the findings in the context of individual behaviour change for sustainability.  The aim is to provide an accurate, up-to-date picture of existing policy-relevant evidence on consumer behaviour and attitudes to food and environment in the UK.


Page last modified: 24 September 2009
Page published: 8 June 2009