| By: |
W. Lasarov (Audencia Business School);
S. Hoffmann;
R. Mai;
J. Schleich |
| Abstract: |
Innovative information technology such as a Carbon Footprint Tracking App can
contribute to achieve global climate targets like the 2°C target of the Paris
Agreement. This is particularly relevant for countries with strong
socio-economic development, which often have high individual carbon footprints
but also possess the technological advancements to help mitigate these
emissions. This paper explores how carbon footprint feedback and goal-oriented
appeals affect consumers' carbon emissions. Focusing on interventions in the
food and mobility domains, this research distinguishes the impact of
self-related and society-related goals across these focal domains and examines
spillover effects on heating and other household activities. Using a Carbon
Footprint Tracking App in a longitudinal experimental study with 210
participants over three waves, the following key findings emerge. First, goal
activation affects carbon emissions differently across consumption domains.
Second, while the obtained evidence points to spillover across domains, the
appeals' effectiveness within the same domain is contingent on individual goal
prioritization. In particular, behavioral interventions need to target
specific goals within each domain, particularly normative and moral goals in
the food domain, and hedonic and cost-related goals in the mobility domain. |
| Abstract: |
Innovative information technology such as a Carbon Footprint Tracking App can
contribute to achieve global climate targets like the 2 ◦C target of the Paris
Agreement. This is particularly relevant for countries with strong
socio-economic development, which often have high individual carbon footprints
but also possess the technological advancements to help mitigate these
emissions. This paper explores how carbon footprint feedback and goal-oriented
appeals affect consumers' carbon emissions. Focusing on interventions in the
food and mobility domains, this research distinguishes the impact of
self-related and society-related goals across these focal domains and examines
spillover effects on heating and other household activities. Using a Carbon
Footprint Tracking App in a longitudinal experimental study with 210
participants over three waves, the following key findings emerge. First, goal
activation affects carbon emissions differently across consumption domains.
Second, while the obtained evidence points to spillover across domains, the
appeals' effectiveness within the same domain is contingent on individual goal
prioritization. In particular, behavioral interventions need to target
specific goals within each domain, particularly normative and moral goals in
the food domain, and hedonic and cost-related goals in the mobility domain. |
| Keywords: |
Sustainable consumption, carbon footprint, self-tracking, goal framing, spillover effects |
| Date: |
2024–09 |
| URL: |
https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04689730 |