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Why Knowing about Climate Change Is Not Enough to Change: A Perspective Paper on the Factors Explaining the Environmental Knowledge-Action Gap

Author

Listed:
  • Serena L. Colombo

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Salvatore G. Chiarella

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
    International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy)

  • Camille Lefrançois

    (Laboratoire de Psychologie et de Neurosciences, Institut de Médecine Environnementale (IME), 03700 Serbannes, France)

  • Jacques Fradin

    (Laboratoire de Psychologie et de Neurosciences, Institut de Médecine Environnementale (IME), 03700 Serbannes, France)

  • Antonino Raffone

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
    School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, and Comparative Religions, Nalanda University, Rajgir 803116, India)

  • Luca Simione

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Umane e Sociali Internazionali, UNINT Università degli Studi Internazionali, 00147 Rome, Italy
    Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC), National Research Council (CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

A successful transition to a lower-emission society may require major changes in the patterns of individual behaviours. Yet, whilst awareness and concern about climate change have increased in recent years among the global population, global greenhouse gases emissions have not ceased to rise. This paper discusses potential reasons underlying the gap between individual knowledge of climate change and the actions implemented to contain greenhouse gas emissions. To investigate this phenomenon, we look at the scientific literature exploring the factors influencing pro-environmental behaviour. First, we highlight how an individual’s environmental knowledge is not only approximate but also biased by cognitive, affective, and cultural factors, influencing their appraisal of climate information and their motivation to act. Second, we discuss three major models of pro-environmental behaviour, such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the Norm-Activation Model (NAM), and the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN), to highlight their failure to account for automatic cognitive and affective factors influencing an individual’s ability to implement pro-environmental intentions. Then, we discuss the Comprehensive-Action-Determination Model of pro-environmental behaviour (CADM), and its efforts to overcome the limits of the previous models. Finally, we examine the dispositional traits associated with pro-environmental engagement to highlight how the relationship between dispositions and pro-environmental behaviour performance appears related to self-regulation processes, supported by executive functioning; increased self-regulation would enable alignment of pro-environmental intentions and behaviours, and anticipation of the long-term consequences of present behaviours. We conclude by calling for more research to be carried out on the effect of enhanced self-regulation, and of self-regulation training, on individual reactions to the climate crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Serena L. Colombo & Salvatore G. Chiarella & Camille Lefrançois & Jacques Fradin & Antonino Raffone & Luca Simione, 2023. "Why Knowing about Climate Change Is Not Enough to Change: A Perspective Paper on the Factors Explaining the Environmental Knowledge-Action Gap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:14859-:d:1259366
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jack O’Connor & Joachim H. Spangenberg & Ngan Ha Nguyen & Gioia Emidi & Arne Kappenberg & Linda Klamann & Nick Kupfer & Huynh Ky & Nguyen Thi Thu Nga & Chau Minh Khoi & Cao Dinh An Giang & Jürgen Ott , 2025. "Organic Rice Transition in a Changing Environment: Linking Farmers’ Benefits to Adaptation and Mitigation," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-32, October.
    3. Pu Song & Xiangwei Liu & Xuan Cai & Mengmeng Zhong & Qingqing Wang & Xiangmei Zhu, 2024. "Predictive analysis of college students’ academic procrastination behavior based on a decision tree model," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Natasha A. Strydhorst, 2025. "A temperature check on climate communication: where are we?," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Artemi Tonikidou & Thomas L. Webb, 2024. "Does Providing Information about the Environmental Benefits of Reusable Packaging Systems for Consumer Products Increase Consumers’ Willingness to Use Them?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-12, August.

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