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Exploring the Use of Virtual Reality to Support Environmentally Sustainable Behavior: A Framework to Design Experiences

Author

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  • Giulia Wally Scurati

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Marco Bertoni

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Blekinge Institute of Technology, SE-37179 Karlskrona, Sweden
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Serena Graziosi

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Francesco Ferrise

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The current and future challenges of sustainable development require a massive transformation of habits and behaviors in the whole society at many levels. This demands a change of perspectives, priorities, and practices that can only result from the development of more aware, informed, and instructed communities and individuals. The field of design for sustainable behavior is answering this need through the development of products, systems, and services to support the change of people’s habits and decision-making processes. In this regard, Virtual Reality (VR) is a promising tool: it has already been explored to drive sustainable behavior change in several situations, through a wide range of devices, technologies, and modalities. This variety provides uncountable opportunities to designers, but it comes with a series of ethical, psychological, and technical questions. Hence, VR developers should be able to distinguish and identify possible strategies, delivering suitable solutions for each case study. In this work, we present a framework for the development of VR experiences to support sustainable behavior change, based on a systematic review. We consider the various features to manage and possible alternatives when creating a VR experience, linking them to the behavioral aspects that can be addressed according to the project’s aim. The framework will provide designers with a tool to explore and orient themselves towards possible sets of optimal choices generating tailored solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Wally Scurati & Marco Bertoni & Serena Graziosi & Francesco Ferrise, 2021. "Exploring the Use of Virtual Reality to Support Environmentally Sustainable Behavior: A Framework to Design Experiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:943-:d:482541
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Viktoriia Prokhorova & Oleksandra Mrykhina & Orest Koleshchuk & Tetiana Demianenko, 2024. "Assessing the effectiveness of implementing immersive technologies within university sustainable development systems," Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, PC TECHNOLOGY CENTER, vol. 5(13 (131)), pages 35-47, October.
    3. Ahmet Atalay & Dalia Perkumienė & Mindaugas Škema & Egidijus Vigricas & Dovilė Čiuldienė & Biruta Švagždiene, 2025. "Evaluating the Role of Metaverse Interactive Technologies in Turkey and Lithuania for a Clean and Sustainable Environment in the Leisure Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-33, October.
    4. Saverio Piccininni & Mine Dastan & Fabio Vangi & Michele Fiorentino, 2025. "MAGIC: Multi-User Advanced Graphic Immersive Configurator for Sustainable Customization of Complex Design Products—A Sailing Yacht Case Study," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, February.
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    6. Iolanda L. Chamusca & Cristiano V. Ferreira & Thiago B. Murari & Antonio L. Apolinario & Ingrid Winkler, 2023. "Towards Sustainable Virtual Reality: Gathering Design Guidelines for Intuitive Authoring Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-24, February.
    7. Chunyu Jiang & Sedigheh Moghavvemi & Seuk Wai Phoong, 2025. "Virtual reality’s promise for eco-friendly adventures: a study on its role in fostering sustainable tourism and reducing environmental footprint," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 547-577, September.
    8. Mojtaba Ashour & Amir Mahdiyar & Syarmila Hany Haron, 2021. "A Comprehensive Review of Deterrents to the Practice of Sustainable Interior Architecture and Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    9. Alaa Aggag & Wael Kortam, 2025. "Using Augmented Reality to Improve Tourism Marketing Effectiveness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-21, June.
    10. Thi Bich Thuy Nguyen & Thi Bich Ngoc Le & Ngoc Tuan Chau, 2023. "How VR Technological Features Prompt Tourists’ Visiting Intention: An Integrated Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, March.
    11. Shiqian Zhu & Xiaogang Liu, 2025. "The Ecodesign Transformation of Smart Clothing: Towards a Systemic and Coupled Social–Ecological–Technological System Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-28, February.
    12. Feng-Jung Liu & Chien-Chih Yeh, 2022. "The Influence of Competency-Based VR Learning Materials on Students’ Problem-Solving Behavioral Intentions—Taking Environmental Issues in Junior High Schools as an Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, December.
    13. Hongyang Li & Shuying Fang & Long Chen & Vanessa Menadue & Skitmore Martin, 2024. "Extended reality (XR)—A magic box of digitalization in driving sustainable development of the construction industry: A critical review," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 2830-2845, June.

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