Similarities in determinants of health and climate mitigation behaviours: A repertory grid study with international behaviour change experts

To achieve climate mitigation targets considerable behaviour change is needed. The evidence base for effective interventions for climate mitigation behaviour change at individual and population level is in its infancy and well behind the evidence base for health. Climate mitigation and health behaviours have similarities in terms of their motivational and social determinants, and potentially their mechanisms of change. Understanding similarities between behaviours might guide the transfer of existing evidence to new applications. The aim of this study is to develop a classification of determinants of climate mitigation and health behaviours and compare and contrast characteristics.
The study started with a pilot study (n=2) and a small-scale (n=5) round of interviews, followed by a second round of interviews with another 10 behaviour (change) experts. They were interviewed using a repertory grid method. Respondents were asked to describe how two behaviours from a triad are similar to each other and different from a third in terms of determinants. The provided characteristics were inductively categorized. In total, each respondent evaluated eight triads.
Preliminary results revealed key determinants of climate mitigation behaviours and analysed how they compare to health behaviours. A broad range of determinants (n=31) emerged, including effort, behavioural patterns (e.g. habit), resources (e.g. energy saved), outcomes (e.g. long-term benefits) and behavioural regulation (e.g. requiring planning).
This study demonstrated how multidimensional (health and) climate mitigation behaviours are. Further research efforts are needed to increase our understanding of determinants of mitigation behaviours and support the development of effective interventions.