IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ecolec/v226y2024ics0921800924002350.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Climate change education through the lens of behavioral economics: A systematic review of studies on observed behavior and social norms

Author

Listed:
  • Galeotti, Fabio
  • Hopfensitz, Astrid
  • Mantilla, César

Abstract

We conduct a systematic review (SR) of the empirical literature on Climate Change Education (CCE) through the lens of behavioral economics. We focus on the effects of educational interventions on actual behaviors or beliefs regarding the prevalence or social acceptability of these behaviors. We identify 86 studies evaluating CCE interventions. Most of them employ pre-post evaluations, which are more susceptible to demand effects and social desirability bias. Almost all report positive effects in terms of pro-environmental outcomes. Only 19 studies look at the effects of CCE on actual behavior (mainly on recycling, trashing or energy saving) or norm-related beliefs. Most interventions involve activities aimed at engaging learners. Others focus on nudges (like stickers or posters). A minority is based on lectures, deliberative discussions, or science-based interactions. The SR reveals important gaps in the literature and potential tensions that can inform future research in behavioral ecological economics.

Suggested Citation

  • Galeotti, Fabio & Hopfensitz, Astrid & Mantilla, César, 2024. "Climate change education through the lens of behavioral economics: A systematic review of studies on observed behavior and social norms," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:226:y:2024:i:c:s0921800924002350
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108338
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800924002350
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108338?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version below or search for a different version of it.

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Biel, Anders & Thogersen, John, 2007. "Activation of social norms in social dilemmas: A review of the evidence and reflections on the implications for environmental behaviour," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 93-112, January.
    2. Ballantyne, Roy & Packer, Jan & Sutherland, Lucy A., 2011. "Visitors’ memories of wildlife tourism: Implications for the design of powerful interpretive experiences," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 770-779.
    3. Stefano DellaVigna & Elizabeth Linos, 2022. "RCTs to Scale: Comprehensive Evidence From Two Nudge Units," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 90(1), pages 81-116, January.
    4. Veronika Deisenrieder & Susanne Kubisch & Lars Keller & Johann Stötter, 2020. "Bridging the Action Gap by Democratizing Climate Change Education—The Case of k.i.d.Z.21 in the Context of Fridays for Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Charness, Gary & Gneezy, Uri & Kuhn, Michael A., 2012. "Experimental methods: Between-subject and within-subject design," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 81(1), pages 1-8.
    6. Louise R. Manfredi & Meriel Stokoe & Rebecca Kelly & Seyeon Lee, 2021. "Teaching Sustainable Responsibility through Informal Undergraduate Design Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-13, July.
    7. Karine Nyborg, 2018. "Social Norms and the Environment," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 10(1), pages 405-423, October.
    8. Tien Ming Lee & Ezra M. Markowitz & Peter D. Howe & Chia-Ying Ko & Anthony A. Leiserowitz, 2015. "Predictors of public climate change awareness and risk perception around the world," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 5(11), pages 1014-1020, November.
    9. Douglas A. Parry & Brittany I. Davidson & Craig J. R. Sewall & Jacob T. Fisher & Hannah Mieczkowski & Daniel S. Quintana, 2021. "A systematic review and meta-analysis of discrepancies between logged and self-reported digital media use," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(11), pages 1535-1547, November.
    10. Míriam Rocher & Bruno Silva & Gonçalo Cruz & Renato Bentes & Josep Lloret & Eduard Inglés, 2020. "Benefits of Outdoor Sports in Blue Spaces. The Case of School Nautical Activities in Viana do Castelo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-14, November.
    11. Alexander Bisaro & Jochen Hinkel, 2016. "Governance of social dilemmas in climate change adaptation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(4), pages 354-359, April.
    12. Prestin, Abby & Pearce, Katy E., 2010. "We care a lot: Formative research for a social marketing campaign to promote school-based recycling," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(11), pages 1017-1026.
    13. R. Warren & J. VanDerWal & J. Price & J. A. Welbergen & I. Atkinson & J. Ramirez-Villegas & T. J. Osborn & A. Jarvis & L. P. Shoo & S. E. Williams & J. Lowe, 2013. "Quantifying the benefit of early climate change mitigation in avoiding biodiversity loss," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 3(7), pages 678-682, July.
    14. Erin L. Krupka & Roberto A. Weber, 2013. "Identifying Social Norms Using Coordination Games: Why Does Dictator Game Sharing Vary?," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 11(3), pages 495-524, June.
    15. Farjam, Mike & Nikolaychuk, Olexandr & Bravo, Giangiacomo, 2019. "Experimental evidence of an environmental attitude-behavior gap in high-cost situations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 1-1.
    16. Loewenstein, George & Price, Joseph & Volpp, Kevin, 2016. "Habit formation in children: Evidence from incentives for healthy eating," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 47-54.
    17. Bilancini, Ennio & Boncinelli, Leonardo & Di Paolo, Roberto, 2023. "Game-based education promotes practices supporting sustainable water use," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    18. Weiß Bernd & Wagner Michael, 2011. "The Identification and Prevention of Publication Bias in the Social Sciences and Economics," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 231(5-6), pages 661-684, October.
    19. Scott Barrett & Astrid Dannenberg, 2014. "Sensitivity of collective action to uncertainty about climate tipping points," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 36-39, January.
    20. Damgaard, Mette Trier & Nielsen, Helena Skyt, 2018. "Nudging in education," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 313-342.
    21. Johanna Kranz & Martin Schwichow & Petra Breitenmoser & Kai Niebert, 2022. "The (Un)political Perspective on Climate Change in Education—A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-44, April.
    22. Xueqi Wang & Jin Chen, 2022. "Fear emotion reduces reported mitigation behavior in adolescents subject to climate change education," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 1-16, September.
    23. Ranran Yang & Chunxiao Yue & Jingjing Li & Junhong Zhu & Hongshu Chen & Jia Wei, 2020. "The Influence of Information Intervention Cognition on College Students’ Energy-Saving Behavior Intentions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, March.
    24. Scott Barrett & Astrid Dannenberg, 2014. "On the Sensitivity of Collective Action to Uncertainty about Climate Tipping Points," CESifo Working Paper Series 4643, CESifo.
    25. Elinor Ostrom, 2000. "Collective Action and the Evolution of Social Norms," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(3), pages 137-158, Summer.
    26. Noah J. Goldstein & Robert B. Cialdini & Vladas Griskevicius, 2008. "A Room with a Viewpoint: Using Social Norms to Motivate Environmental Conservation in Hotels," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 35(3), pages 472-482, March.
    27. J. Grose & J. Richardson, 2016. "Can a sustainability and health scenario provide a realistic challenge to student nurses and provoke changes in practice? An evaluation of a training intervention," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(2), pages 256-261, June.
    28. Gill, Carrie & Lang, Corey, 2018. "Learn to conserve: The effects of in-school energy education on at-home electricity consumption," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 88-96.
    29. Daniel Zizzo, 2010. "Experimenter demand effects in economic experiments," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 13(1), pages 75-98, March.
    30. Ariel Ortiz-Bobea & Toby R. Ault & Carlos M. Carrillo & Robert G. Chambers & David B. Lobell, 2021. "Anthropogenic climate change has slowed global agricultural productivity growth," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(4), pages 306-312, April.
    31. Perri B. Druen & Stephanie J. Zawadzki, 2021. "Escaping the Climate Trap: Participation in a Climate-Specific Social Dilemma Simulation Boosts Climate-Protective Motivation and Actions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-27, August.
    32. Ernst Fehr & Urs Fischbacher, 2004. "Social norms and human cooperation," Macroeconomics 0409026, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    33. Tara J. Crandon & James G. Scott & Fiona J. Charlson & Hannah J. Thomas, 2022. "A social–ecological perspective on climate anxiety in children and adolescents," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(2), pages 123-131, February.
    34. Ben Yang & Ningning Wu & Zepeng Tong & Yan Sun, 2022. "Narrative-Based Environmental Education Improves Environmental Awareness and Environmental Attitudes in Children Aged 6–8," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-19, May.
    35. N. Nurlaela Arief & Melia Famiola & Andika Putra Pratama & Prameshwara Anggahegari & Aghnia Nadhira Aliya Putri, 2022. "Sustainability Communication through Bio-Based Experiential Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, April.
    36. June Flora & Melissa Saphir & Matt Lappé & Connie Roser-Renouf & Edward Maibach & Anthony Leiserowitz, 2014. "Evaluation of a national high school entertainment education program: The Alliance for Climate Education," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 127(3), pages 419-434, December.
    37. Andor, Mark A. & Fels, Katja M., 2018. "Behavioral Economics and Energy Conservation – A Systematic Review of Non-price Interventions and Their Causal Effects," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 178-210.
    38. Danielle F. Lawson & Kathryn T. Stevenson & M. Nils Peterson & Sarah J. Carrier & Renee L. Strnad & Erin Seekamp, 2019. "Children can foster climate change concern among their parents," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(6), pages 458-462, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Eugen Dimant & Tobias Gesche, 2021. "Nudging Enforcers: How Norm Perceptions and Motives for Lying Shape Sanctions," CESifo Working Paper Series 9385, CESifo.
    2. D'Adda, Giovanna & Drouvelis, Michalis & Nosenzo, Daniele, 2016. "Norm elicitation in within-subject designs: Testing for order effects," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1-7.
    3. Marius BOTTIN & Ana Beatriz PIZARRO & Sara CADAVID & Luisa RAMIREZ & Sergio BARBOSA & Juan Gabriel OCAMPO-PALACIO & Benjamin QUESADA, 2023. "Worldwide effects of climate change education on the cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors of schoolchildren and their entourage. A systematic review," Working Paper 31da0f76-4d0c-4c12-9484-f, Agence française de développement.
    4. Chakravarty, Sujoy & Mishra, Rajan, 2019. "Using social norms to reduce paper waste: Results from a field experiment in the Indian Information Technology sector," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1-1.
    5. repec:cup:judgdm:v:16:y:2021:i:5:p:1267-1289 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Hensel, Lukas & Witte, Marc & Caria, A. Stefano & Fetzer, Thiemo & Fiorin, Stefano & Götz, Friedrich M. & Gomez, Margarita & Haushofer, Johannes & Ivchenko, Andriy & Kraft-Todd, Gordon & Reutskaja, El, 2022. "Global Behaviors, Perceptions, and the Emergence of Social Norms at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 473-496.
    7. Despoina Alempaki & Genyue Fu & Jingcheng Fu, 2021. "Lying and social norms: a lab-in-the-field experiment with children," Discussion Papers 2021-01, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
    8. Zhi Li & Dongsheng Chen & Pengfei Liu, 2023. "Assurance payments on the coordination of threshold public goods provision: An experimental investigation," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 25(2), pages 407-436, April.
    9. Zhang, Peilu & Zhang, Yinjunjie & Palma, Marco A., 2024. "Social roles and competitiveness: My willingness to compete depends on who I am (supposed to be)," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 125-151.
    10. Mike Farjam & Olexandr Nikolaychuk & Giangiacomo Bravo, 2019. "Investing into climate change mitigation despite the risk of failure," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 154(3), pages 453-460, June.
    11. Rustichini, Aldo & Villeval, Marie Claire, 2014. "Moral hypocrisy, power and social preferences," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 107(PA), pages 10-24.
    12. Michalis Drouvelis & Benjamin M. Marx, 2021. "Dimensions of donation preferences: the structure of peer and income effects," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 24(1), pages 274-302, March.
    13. Kölle, Felix & Quercia, Simone, 2021. "The influence of empirical and normative expectations on cooperation," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 691-703.
    14. Felix Kölle & Thomas Lauer, 2024. "Understanding Cooperation in an Intertemporal Context," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 70(11), pages 7791-7810, November.
    15. Bicchieri, Cristina & Dimant, Eugen & Xiao, Erte, 2021. "Deviant or wrong? The effects of norm information on the efficacy of punishment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 209-235.
    16. Claes, Ek & Söderberg, Magnus & Kataria, Mitesh, 2024. "Can teaching children about the environment influence household behavior? Experiments in Swedish schools," Working Papers in Economics 848, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics, revised 14 Nov 2024.
    17. Caserta, Maurizio & Distefano, Rosaria & Ferrante, Livio, 2022. "The Good of Rules: An experimental study on prosocial behavior," MPRA Paper 115455, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Qin, Botao & Shogren, Jason, 2023. "Endogenous Social Norms, Mechanism Design, and Payment for Environmental Services," MPRA Paper 112878, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    19. Cristina Bicchieri & Eugen Dimant & Simon Gächter & Daniele Nosenzo, 2020. "Observability, Social Proximity, and the Erosion of Norm Compliance," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 009, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    20. Andor, Mark A. & Gerster, Andreas & Peters, Jörg & Schmidt, Christoph M., 2020. "Social Norms and Energy Conservation Beyond the US," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    21. Castro-Santa, Juana & Moros, Lina & Exadaktylos, Filippos & Mantilla, César, 2024. "Early climate mitigation as a social dilemma," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 810-824.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate change education; Systematic review; Children and young people; Social norms; Pro-environmental behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:226:y:2024:i:c:s0921800924002350. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ecolecon .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.