No abstract

No abstract

Monetary incentives can reduce the performance of pro-environmental behavior, but it remains unclear if they undermine pro-environmental intrinsic motivation. In this longitudinal intervention study, we investigated how monetarily versus environmentally framed behavioral information influences pro-environmental intrinsic motivation, intentions, and behavior. Clients of a local German energy provider (N = 657) were randomly assigned to receive electricity saving tips, combined with a savings potential in € (monetary framing) or in CO 2 (environmental framing). Both types of framed tips positively influenced long-term electricity saving intentions (after 9 months), compared with a control group (receiving no tips), but not behavioral change (n = 285). Monetarily framed tips did not reduce pro-environmental intrinsic motivation (vs. a control group), but only environmentally framed tips increased pro-environmental intrinsic motivation, which mediated effects on intentions. Hence, environmental framing of behavioral interventions may be

To tackle the plastic problem, the worldwide campaign ‘Plastic Free July’ aims at encouraging people to reduce single-use plastics during the month of July. To get people started with new behavior patterns, so-called ‘windows of opportunity’—periods where people become open for new experiences—are expected to matter. Therefore, the current study evaluated if an arbitrary month that is framed as an opportunity for change can interrupt people in their daily routines and reduce plastic consumption. An online survey (n = 509) with repeated measures (n = 366) was conducted including one experimental and one control group. The experimental group was invited to reduce their single-use plastic consumption during July in line with the ‘Plastic Free July’ campaign. Results revealed that, in this action period, single-use plastic consumption was slightly but significantly lower in the experimental than in the control group, which did not receive any information about ‘Plastic Free July’. The campaign seemed to be more effective for participants with low pro-environmental identity. Path analysis revealed that plastic consumption (prior to the intervention) was significantly predicted by perceived difficulty, habits, and pro-environmental identity. Policy support was predicted by problem awareness, pro-environmental identity and perceived barriers. We conclude with recommendations for plastic-free purchase and policy support.

No abstract