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Correcting Consumer Misperceptions about CO2 emissions

Author

Listed:
  • Taisuke Imai

    (The University of Osaka)

  • Davide Pace

    (LMU Munich)

  • Schwardmann Peter

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • van der Weele Joel

    (University of Amsterdam)

Abstract

Policy makers frequently champion information provision about carbon impact on the premise that consumers are willing to mitigate their emissions but are poorly informed about how to do so. We empirically test this argument and reject it. We collect an extensive new dataset and find both large misperceptions of the carbon impact of different consumption behaviors and clear preferences for mitigation. Yet, in two separate experiments, we show that correcting beliefs has no effect on consumption in large representative samples. Our null results are well-powered and informative, as we target information for maximal impact. These results call into question the potential of correcting carbon footprint misperceptions as a tool to fight climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Taisuke Imai & Davide Pace & Schwardmann Peter & van der Weele Joel, 2025. "Correcting Consumer Misperceptions about CO2 emissions," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 529, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    • Handle: RePEc:rco:dpaper:529
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    climate change; carbon emissions; information provision; consumer behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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