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Behavioral insights for the analysis of green tips

Author

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  • Gilles Grolleau

    (LAMETA - Laboratoire Montpelliérain d'Économie Théorique et Appliquée - UM1 - Université Montpellier 1 - UPVM - Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - Montpellier SupAgro - Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques - UM - Université de Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier, Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier, BSB - Burgundy School of Business (BSB) - Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Dijon Bourgogne (ESC))

  • Estelle Midler

    (Alexander von Humboldt Professorship of Environmental Economics - Universität Osnabrück - Osnabrück University, Universität Osnabrück - Osnabrück University)

  • Naoufel Mzoughi

    (ECODEVELOPPEMENT - Unité de recherche d'Écodéveloppement - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique)

Abstract

People in several countries are overwhelmed with green tips in order to encourage them protecting the environment. The effectiveness of these tips, however, highly depends on the context and the person targeted by the tips. In particular, we contend that some green tips may do more harm than good when individuals have cognitive and behavioral biases. Without purporting to be exhaustive, we explain some of these biases and mechanisms by which green tips may lead to a net environmental degradation. We also emphasize that it is possible to complement green tips with debiasing strategies to guarantee their performance. We present some of these strategies, notably the foot-in-the-door technique, commitment strategies, the strategic use of small changes and individuals' pursuit of identity. Finally, several policy implications are developed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gilles Grolleau & Estelle Midler & Naoufel Mzoughi, 2017. "Behavioral insights for the analysis of green tips," Post-Print hal-01595094, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01595094
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2016.12.010
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-01595094
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gilles Grolleau & Lisette Ibanez & Naoufel Mzoughi & Mario Teisl, 2016. "Helping eco-labels to fulfil their promises," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(6), pages 792-802, August.
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    9. Mzoughi, Naoufel, 2014. "Do organic farmers feel happier than conventional ones? An exploratory analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 38-43.
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    Cited by:

    1. Heinz, Nicolai & Koessler, Ann-Kathrin, 2021. "Other-regarding preferences and pro-environmental behaviour: An interdisciplinary review of experimental studies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    2. Gilles Grolleau & Naoufel Mzoughi & Deborah Peterson, 2022. "Making Change Easy Is Not Always Good," Review of Behavioral Economics, now publishers, vol. 9(4), pages 315–331-3, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    behavior; debiasing; environment; green tips; behavioral economics; recommandation; écologie comportementale; analyse des biais; changement comportemental; dégradation de l'environnement; comportement des consommateurs; économie comportementale;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q0 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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