A time-use approach: high subjective wellbeing, low carbon leisure

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the question: which leisure activities are relatively low carbon and conducive to high levels of subjective wellbeing? Underlying this question is the premise that to combat climate change, carbon emissions must be radically reduced. Technological change alone will not be sufficient: lifestyles must also change. Whereas mainstream strategies generally address the challenge of reducing carbon emissions through reviewing consumption, approaching it through the lens of how we use our time, in particular, leisure time, may be a promising complementary avenue. Design/methodology/approach The paper brings together three areas of research that are hitherto largely unlinked: subjective wellbeing/happiness studies, studies on how we use our time and studies on low-carbon lifestyles. Findings The paper shows that low-carbon leisure activities conducive to high subjective wellbeing include social activities such as spending time in the home with family and friends, and physical activities that involve challenge such as partaking in sports. However, depending how they are done, some such activities may induce high carbon emissions, especially through travel. Therefore, appropriate local infrastructure, such as local sports and community centres, is required, along with facilities for active travel. Policymaking developed from a time-use perspective would encourage investment to support this. Originality/value Win–win opportunities for spending leisure time engaged in activities conducive to high subjective wellbeing in low carbon ways are identified. This is done by bringing three research topics together in a novel way.

Pro-environmental behaviours and attitudes are associated with health, wellbeing and life satisfaction in multiple occupancy households in the UK Household Longitudinal Study

“…Conversely, it may be that the element of social interaction involved in these PEBs provides the positive emotional responses described by hedonic wellbeing. Many leisure time activities that do not induce high carbon emissions can also induce wellbeing (Druckman and Gatersleben 2019). Indeed, PEBs may also influence hedonic wellbeing because they require an element of physical activity that may result in positive physical and mental experiences (Lapa 2015).…”

Estimating the carbon footprint of household activities in Japan from the time-use perspective

“…Meanwhile, it is important that mitigation strategies from the time-use perspective be implemented without impairing subjective well-being. As is discussed in Druckman and Gatersleben ( 2019 ), activities that “involve physical and mental activity (and challenge), social contact through which people can satisfy basic psychological needs, and contribute to personal growth” are associated with greater subjective wellbeing, implying leisure activities. However, currently, there lack comprehensive and systematic assessments of the dynamics between subjective well-being and activity emissions, and more rigorous future studies would be desirable for filling in this gap.…”

The Catalogue of Leisure Activities: A New Structured Values and Content Based Instrument for Leisure Research Usable for Social Development and Community Planning

“…Given the irreplaceable role of leisure activities in the prevention of risky behavior [105,106], in the field of social inclusion [107], in the field of social development [108], and in the prevention of pathological phenomena in the family [109], the CaLA can also be used as an auxiliary tool to map current leisure experiences and to plan its short-and long-term support. In doing so, the impact on the environment, travel and tourism and its sustainability will also play an important role [10,11]. Policy planning can also take advantage of the demonstrable link of leisure activities to value preferences and also support the social development of communities, municipalities and society through the promotion of prosocial values.…”

“…The use of the CaLA can also have further impact in the field of ecology and carbon footprint mapping, as many leisure activities (travel, gastronomy, motor sports, etc.) have a considerable impact on the environment [10][11][12].…”