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Environmental and Pro-Social Norms: Evidence on Littering

Author

Listed:
  • Torgler Benno

    (Queensland University of Technology, CREMA and CESifo)

  • Frey Bruno S.

    (University of Zurich, CREMA and CESifo)

  • Wilson Clevo

    (Queensland University of Technology)

Abstract

The paper investigates the relationship between pro-social norms and its implications for improved environmental outcomes. This is an area, which has been neglected in the environmental economics literature. We provide empirical evidence to demonstrate a small but significant positive impact between perceived environmental cooperation (reduced public littering) and increased voluntary environmental morale. For this purpose we use European Values Survey (EVS) data for 30 European countries. We also demonstrate that Western European countries are more sensitive to perceived environmental cooperation than the public in Eastern Europe. Interestingly, the results also demonstrate that environmental morale is strongly correlated with several socio-economic and environmental variables. Several robustness tests are conducted to check the validity of the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Torgler Benno & Frey Bruno S. & Wilson Clevo, 2009. "Environmental and Pro-Social Norms: Evidence on Littering," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 9(1), pages 1-41, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bejeap:v:9:y:2009:i:1:n:18
    DOI: 10.2202/1935-1682.1929
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    20. Caroline Graf & Eva-Maria Merz & Bianca Suanet & Pamala Wiepking, 2021. "Social Norms Offer Explanation for Inconsistent Effects of Incentives on Prosocial Behavior," Papers 2104.13652, arXiv.org.
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    22. Franco, Daniel, 2012. "Beni comuni, beni pubblici e risorse ambientali: il ruolo dell’azione collettiva [Public goods, common goods and natural resources: the role of the collective action]," MPRA Paper 52357, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Mar 2012.

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