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Behavioral Insights for the Analysis of Green Tips

Author

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  • Grolleau, Gilles
  • Midler, Estelle
  • Mzoughi, Naoufel

Abstract

People in several countries are overwhelmed with green tips in order to encourage them protecting the environment. The effectiveness of these tips, however, highly depends on the context and the person targeted by the tips. In particular, we contend that some green tips may do more harm than good when individuals have cognitive and behavioral biases. Without purporting to be exhaustive, we explain some of these biases and mechanisms by which green tips may lead to a net environmental degradation. We also emphasize that it is possible to complement green tips with debiasing strategies to guarantee their performance. We present some of these strategies, notably the foot-in-the-door technique, commitment strategies, the strategic use of small changes and individuals' pursuit of identity. Finally, several policy implications are developed.

Suggested Citation

  • Grolleau, Gilles & Midler, Estelle & Mzoughi, Naoufel, 2017. "Behavioral Insights for the Analysis of Green Tips," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 258-262.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:134:y:2017:i:c:p:258-262
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2016.12.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. George A. Akerlof & Rachel E. Kranton, 2000. "Economics and Identity," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 115(3), pages 715-753.
    7. Mzoughi, Naoufel, 2014. "Do organic farmers feel happier than conventional ones? An exploratory analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 38-43.
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    Cited by:

    1. Heinz, Nicolai & Koessler, Ann-Kathrin, 2021. "Other-regarding preferences and pro-environmental behaviour: An interdisciplinary review of experimental studies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    2. Gilles Grolleau & Naoufel Mzoughi & Deborah Peterson, 2022. "Making Change Easy Is Not Always Good," Review of Behavioral Economics, now publishers, vol. 9(4), pages 315–331-3, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Behavior; Debiasing; Environment; Green tips;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q0 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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