How can psychology help us understand and solve environmental and energy-related problems?

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Are psychological distance and efficacy barriers to climate action?

Psychological distance and lack of efficacy are often cited as barriers to climate action, but research from Environmental Psychology Groningen suggests that many people are concerned about climate change impacting them personally.

Acceptability of connected automated vehicles: Attributes, perceived behavioural control, and perceived adoption norm

In this paper, we propose a model to explain the acceptability (i.e. evaluation before experience) of Connected Automated Vehicles. We hypothesize that the acceptability of CAVs is higher when people evaluate its attributes more favourably, feel more able to use CAVs (i.e. higher perceived behavioural control), and think close others would consider adopting CAVs (i.e. the perceived adoption norm).

Environmental psychology myths, debunked: small scale climate action doesn’t make a difference

Environmental Psychology Groningen associate professor Lise Jans explains that small scale collective climate action like a clean up day or a community energy project can be a catalyst for large scale change.

Can the EU regulate single use plastic away?

Research from the field of Environmental Psychology suggests that EU-level regulations banning the use of hotel shampoo bottles and dine in sauce packages by 2030 could be effective because policy and context are equally important in influencing how sustainably we are able to behave in our daily lives.

Climate optimism: just the facts

Climate optimism is a fairly new concept within the discourse about climate change, focusing on the potentially positive transformations the world can make in the face of climate change. But climate optimism is only effective when it is fully informed and embracing the challenge before us in its entirety, not when it is being selective about which statistics to cite and which technological developments to emphasize.

Exploring energy geography: Data insights on household consumption

Household energy consumption (HEC) varies across neighbourhoods and gender groups. This database provides raw and analysed data on HEC determinants and their estimated influence on HEC in 2707 residential neighbourhoods (Wijk) in the Netherlands in 2018.

Do protestors speak for all farmers?

Environmental psychology can offer some perspective on at least a couple of aspects of the protests against transition in the agricultural sector in the Netherlands, namely the role of a vocal minority and the usefulness of subsidies.

Climate emotions: Scientists have feelings, too

Do environmental psychology researchers feel they can take action or openly express concern about climate change without risking undermining their own academic legitimacy?

Environmental psychology myths, debunked: Most people don’t care about the environment

Many people are genuinely motivated to take care of the environment, but they need to be made aware of how much others care and be empowered with information about actions they can actually take.

Environmental psychology myths, debunked: Public participation is a silver bullet for public acceptance

Initial findings show that when citizen assemblies are reflective of the general population and enable citizens to define their values at an early planning stage where their input can genuinely influence outcomes, they can be a promising approach for more engagement with public participation.

Environmental psychology myths, debunked: people only make climate-friendly decisions if it saves them money

Research shows that many people have strong intrinsic motivation to behave in an environmentally-friendly manner, and are willing to spend some more money for more sustainable purchases.

Environmental psychology myths, debunked: climate change will only affect us in negative ways

Climate change is not just doom and gloom. Actually, people may be capable of seeking new opportunities and changing for the better because of it. That is the essence of transilience.

2023 research in review

While folks here in the Netherlands are still greeting each other with best wishes for the new year, we're using this slightly slow week getting back to work to share a short overview of the research from our colleagues in 2023.

Scientific Climate Council presents first advisory report to environment minister

Following the council of ministers meeting in The Hague on Friday, 15 December, an advisory report by the Wetenschappelijke Klimaatraad (WKR, Scientific Climate Council) for a Dutch  climate plan was presented to demissionary environmental minister Rob Jetten (D66). The council, of which Environmental Psychology Groningen professor Linda Steg is a member, is advising the cabinet to prioritise the common good and embrace an all-encompassing perspective for a climate neutral and resilient Netherlands.

Circular consumption to reduce environmental pressure: Potential of behavioural change in the Netherlands

The transition towards a circular economy requires a change in what and how we consume. We argue that a realistic estimation of the environmental mitigation potential depends on 1) the environmental benefit that results from a certain circular behaviour, referred to as the ‘theoretical reduction potential’ (TRP), and 2) the behavioural plasticity, reflecting the share of consumers who are not yet engaging in the behaviour but would be willing to do so if circular goods and services are easily accessible and affordable.

Who we are and what we do

The Environmental Psychology Groningen expertise group investigates how willing people are to make a personal contribution to the cause of combating climate change and which policies can effectively encourage sustainable behaviour.

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