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Boosting Citizens Towards Reduced Energy Consumption: A Field Experiment in the Principality of Monaco

Author

Listed:
  • Nathalie Lazaric

    (Université Côte d'Azur
    GREDEG-CNRS)

  • Mira Toumi

    (Université Côte d'Azur, France
    GREDEG CNRS)

Abstract

We investigate the complementarity between diverse behavioral tools called "boosts" (through information provision) and "goal setting" (ambitious or modest goals) in a field experiment in the Principality of Monaco which ran from December 2018 to May 2019. We collected data from 77 households in four groups: ambitious energy reduction goal combined with information (treatment 1), modest energy reduction goal combined with information (treatment 2), information only (treatment 3) and a control group (treatment 4). Treatments 1 and 2 increase the chances towards reduced energy consumption. We show that a modest but more realistic energy saving goal generates better energy conservation performance when combined with “boosts” (treatment 2). We explore the link between behavioral strategies and the household’s environmental concern in the context of the new ecological paradigm (NEP). The efficiency of the treatments depends heavily on the NEP profile. Households with a high NEP profile are more likely to reduce their electricity consumption whereas as those with a low NEP profile will not respond to behavioral interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalie Lazaric & Mira Toumi, 2021. "Boosting Citizens Towards Reduced Energy Consumption: A Field Experiment in the Principality of Monaco," GREDEG Working Papers 2021-17, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France.
    • Handle: RePEc:gre:wpaper:2021-17
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Boost; nudges; goal setting; energy consumption; field experiment; environmental profile;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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