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Examining COVID-19-Related Changes toward More Climate-Friendly Food Consumption in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Karolin Schmidt

    (Institute for Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Hannah Wallis

    (University Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Theresa Sieverding

    (Institute for Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Ellen Matthies

    (Institute for Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

Abstract

The present study examined the overall potential that the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions have for the promotion of climate-friendly food consumption in Germany. We looked at COVID-19-related changes in people’s climate-friendly food-consumption behaviors by comparing retrospectively self-reported performances between the time period in which the COVID-19 restrictions were in place and the pre-COVID-19 period. Furthermore, we examined the durability of such COVID-19-related changes with regard to an imagined post-COVID-19 period and the role of people’s personal climate-protection norms in COVID-19-related behavioral changes. To do so, we conducted two online surveys in June/July 2020 with German consumers: (a) an online study in a sample that was representative of the German population (NCOR1 = 3092) and (b) another online study in a smaller sample of German consumers (NCOR2 = 300). Altogether, the data from both surveys indicated several COVID-19-related changes toward more climate-friendly food consumption, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, but also with regard to long-term changes in a potential post-COVID-19 period. Furthermore, our results also provide initial empirical evidence that people’s personal climate-protection norms are relevant moderating factors of these short- and long-term COVID-19-related behavioral changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Karolin Schmidt & Hannah Wallis & Theresa Sieverding & Ellen Matthies, 2022. "Examining COVID-19-Related Changes toward More Climate-Friendly Food Consumption in Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-26, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4267-:d:786574
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    References listed on IDEAS

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