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The benefits of less: The effect of sufficiency gain framing on sufficiency behavior

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  • Suter, Manuel
  • Rabaa, Simon
  • Essl, Andrea

Abstract

Sufficiency strategies aimed at reduced production and consumption levels have a high potential to help combat environmental issues. There is limited knowledge on how to promote voluntary sufficiency behaviors at the individual level. In an online experiment with participants from the United States (n = 1317), we examine the effect of providing information about different sufficiency benefits to nature, society, or the individual on sufficiency behavior. Sufficiency behavior was measured by participants' decision between an Amazon voucher and donating to an organization that fosters sufficiency projects. The results show that the individual sufficiency gain framing leads to a significantly higher amount of Amazon voucher waived compared to a neutral control group. Informing about individual sufficiency benefits, such as more free time and better mental health, may be fruitful in promoting sufficiency behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Suter, Manuel & Rabaa, Simon & Essl, Andrea, 2025. "The benefits of less: The effect of sufficiency gain framing on sufficiency behavior," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:231:y:2025:i:c:s0921800925000448
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108561
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sufficiency behavior; Sufficiency gain framing; Pro-environmental behavior; Laboratory experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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