Energy and environmental behavior

The most pressing environmental concerns of the twenty-first century include climate change, sustainable energy production, and access to clean air and water. In order to promote sustainable behavior, effective energy and environmental policies are needed beyond polarized debates around regulation. Although public willingness to utilize sustainable and pro-environmental options is increasing, actual behavior trends have not followed suit, with few exceptions. Largely through the use of social norms, a variety of behavioral insights present clear opportunities to achieve desired outcomes, with evidence ranging from better engaging local communities to improved public campaigns. Other approaches, such as setting default choices in favor of green energy, appear to result in “optimal” policy outcomes. In this chapter, we explore several techniques and their potential for impact.