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Determinants of Long-Term Water and Energy Conservation Behavior: An Integrated Review

Author

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  • Mathijs Ambaum

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
    Department of Sociology/ICS, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Rense Corten

    (Department of Sociology/ICS, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Mattijs Lambooij

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

  • Monique van der Aa

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

  • Frenk van Harreveld

    (Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018 WV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Vincent Buskens

    (Department of Sociology/ICS, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Over the last decades, drinking water and energy use have increased exponentially. To preserve ecosystems in the long term, a change in behavior is necessary on all levels of society including on the household level. This paper presents an integrated review of the determinants of long-term drinking water and energy conservation behavior of households. We identified forty-nine relevant studies discussing long-term conservation behavior in the context of drinking water and energy use. Long-term conservation behavior was measured as either persistent behavior, maintaining behavioral change, or intentions to maintain behavior, each with specific determinants. We found four key factors for long-term conservation behavior: consumption feedback, household characteristics, effort, and motives for conservation behavior. For future studies, we suggest follow-up questionnaires or interviews to measure the persistence of behavior and differentiate between curtailment and efficiency behavior. Worthwhile avenues for future research on long-term conservation behavior are household-tailored feedback mechanisms and the interaction between contextual factors and effort-based choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathijs Ambaum & Rense Corten & Mattijs Lambooij & Monique van der Aa & Frenk van Harreveld & Vincent Buskens, 2024. "Determinants of Long-Term Water and Energy Conservation Behavior: An Integrated Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:11:p:4399-:d:1399826
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    References listed on IDEAS

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