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Après nous le déluge? Perceived distance of climate change impacts and pro-environmental behaviour

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  • Benjamin Volland

Abstract

This research addresses the role of perceived distance of climate change impacts as an antecedent of pro-environmental behaviour using data from a large, representative survey. Doing so, it complements existing research that has largely concentrated on environmental concerns, beliefs and behavioural intentions. Focusing on temporal and spatial distance dimensions, it finds that differences in perceptions are reflected in differences in self-reported pro-environmental behaviours but that the relevance of perceived distance rapidly vanishes as this distance increases. Little systematic evidence emerges that individuals take climate impacts into account when these impacts are not anticipated to produce personal consequences. Some implications for the promotion of pro-environmental behaviour relying on "proximising" climate change impacts are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Volland, 2018. "Après nous le déluge? Perceived distance of climate change impacts and pro-environmental behaviour," IRENE Working Papers 18-05, IRENE Institute of Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:irn:wpaper:18-05
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    Cited by:

    1. Nassibou Bassongui & Albert N’lédji Honlonkou, 2025. "Behavioural Drivers of Cooking Energy Choice in Benin," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 88(2), pages 533-552, February.
    2. Heinz, Nicolai & Koessler, Ann-Kathrin & Engel, Stefanie, 2021. "Distance to climate change consequences reduces willingness to engage in low-cost mitigation actions – Results from an experimental online study from Germany," EconStor Preprints 246815, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Psychological distance; Discounting; Proenvironmental behaviour; UK;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D15 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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