1. Promoting pro-green technology behaviour in central institutions Prof Florin Ioras Centre for Conservation and Sustainability
2. “ Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all…….. Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response .” The Sunday Times , November 23, 2008 President Obama speaking in November
To give an overview of the key points to emerge. To frame the problem as an organisational issue. To provide “good practice” guidance for achieving “greener” behaviour in the workplace. To suggest avenues for future practice.
Climate change is generally accepted as the single largest issue facing mankind in the 21 st Century. There has been increasing coverage in the media, together with a more vocal recognition by mainstream politicians that there needs to be a fundamental shift in society towards more sustainable modes of living that minimise our impact upon the planet and others. To date, the pace of change has not, however, been startling …
Individuals’ behaviour towards energy, water and waste use, together with their participation in recycling at work is relatively unstudied. This is despite the increasing levels of media, public, policy and research interest directed toward the issue of climate change. We believe there is a real opportunity for us, as occupational psychologists , to make a difference here and to establish a relatively new business area for ourselves.
The main findings arising from the literature review. 165 articles, chapters or reports.
Interviews with experts supported the main findings arising from the literature review.
Interviews with experts supported the main findings arising from the literature review.
Interviews with experts supported the main findings arising from the literature review.
“ A review of interventions to encourage pro-environmental behavior” – Wokje Abrahamse Despite wide application, the attitudinal approach has been under researched in terms of specific interventions and has enjoyed limited success. However interventions based on providing procedural information (rather than just information aimed at changing attitudes) may be more likely to produce behaviour change (e.g. De Young, 1996). Experts also agreed that focusing on attitudes alone is not sufficient to achieve behavioural change – need to tackle behaviours directly. There is growing awareness of potential barriers to change (e.g. past behavior) and the importance that context plays. Convenience is an important factor in why individuals may not reduce energy use or recycle. Participation is also important - the involvement of workers in initiatives has been highlighted as important in the energy and waste literatures. Goal setting interventions, incorporating group based goals and incentives, are effective (e.g. Lingard et al, 2001) . Monetary incentives and rewards have been successfully applied (albeit in limited contexts). Interventions in the energy and recycling domains have shown feedback to be an effective tool in its own right for achieving behavioural change (albeit often accompanied by procedural information). Socio-cognitive approaches have shown some success E.g., group or social pressure, i.e., departmental competition, has been harnessed to help support behavioural change.
In the work context in particular, the relationship between attitudes and behaviour modification unconvincing (e.g. Jenner et al, 2006). We need to move away from the ghettoization of green behaviour and bring in more mainstream thinking.
e.g., to include past behaviour and habit, and social identity, social norms and group pressure.
e.g., to include past behaviour and habit, and social identity, social norms and group pressure.
“ A review of interventions to encourage pro-environmental behavior” – Wokje Abrahamse Despite wide application, the attitudinal approach has been under researched in terms of specific interventions and has enjoyed limited success. However interventions based on providing procedural information (rather than just information aimed at changing attitudes) may be more likely to produce behaviour change (e.g. De Young, 1996). Experts also agreed that focusing on attitudes alone is not sufficient to achieve behavioural change – need to tackle behaviours directly. There is growing awareness of potential barriers to change (e.g. past behavior) and the importance that context plays. Convenience is an important factor in why individuals may not reduce energy use or recycle. Participation is also important - the involvement of workers in initiatives has been highlighted as important in the energy and waste literatures. Goal setting interventions, incorporating group based goals and incentives, are effective (e.g. Lingard et al, 2001) . Monetary incentives and rewards have been successfully applied (albeit in limited contexts). Interventions in the energy and recycling domains have shown feedback to be an effective tool in its own right for achieving behavioural change (albeit often accompanied by procedural information). Socio-cognitive approaches have shown some success E.g., group or social pressure, i.e., departmental competition, has been harnessed to help support behavioural change.
