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The Economic Potential to Support Sustainability through Household Consumption Choices

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  • Anna Claudelin

    (Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland)

  • Sini Järvelä

    (Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland)

  • Ville Uusitalo

    (Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland)

  • Maija Leino

    (Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland)

  • Lassi Linnanen

    (Sustainability Science, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland)

Abstract

The amount of money that could potentially be saved by households by reducing unnecessary consumption and directed to sustainable investments without compromising the social needs in Finnish households was studied. The study was conducted by using statistical data and by creating short- and long-term scenarios to assess potential savings resulting from changes in household behaviour. According to the results, a Finnish household could save and subsequently allocate an average of €3400–€15,000 annually to invest in sustainability. The greatest potential for preventing unnecessary consumption is related to (1) food and drinks, and (2) transportation. In the long-term scenario, reducing expenditures in the category of housing also provides opportunities for high savings. A significant share of the saving created by sustainable patterns of consumption can be directed for example to investments in renewable energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Claudelin & Sini Järvelä & Ville Uusitalo & Maija Leino & Lassi Linnanen, 2018. "The Economic Potential to Support Sustainability through Household Consumption Choices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:11:p:3961-:d:179372
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Claudelin & Ville Uusitalo & Ilona Hintukainen & Anna Kuokkanen & Paavo Tertsunen & Maija Leino & Lassi Linnanen, 2020. "Increasing positive climate impact by combining anti‐consumption and consumption changes with impact investing," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(6), pages 1689-1701, November.
    2. Pablo Garmendia & Gabriela Topa & Teresa Herrador & Montserrat Hernández, 2019. "Does Death Anxiety Moderate the Adequacy of Retirement Savings? Empirical Evidence from 40-Plus Clients of Spanish Financial Advisory Firms," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-13, July.

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