Prioritising Climate Change Mitigation Behaviours and Exploring Public Health Co-Benefits: A Delphi Study

Priyanjali Ratwatte (), Helena Wehling, Revati Phalkey and Dale Weston
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Priyanjali Ratwatte: Behavioural Science and Insights Unit (BSIU), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Wiltshire, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
Helena Wehling: Behavioural Science and Insights Unit (BSIU), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Wiltshire, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
Revati Phalkey: Climate Change and Health Unit, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Chilton, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK
Dale Weston: Behavioural Science and Insights Unit (BSIU), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Wiltshire, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: Climate change requires urgent action; however, it can be challenging to identify individual-level behaviours that should be prioritised for maximum impact. The study aimed to prioritise climate change mitigation behaviours according to their impacts on climate change and public health, and to identify associated barriers and facilitators—exploring the impact of observed behaviour shifts associated with COVID-19 in the UK. A three-round Delphi study and expert workshop were conducted: An expert panel rated mitigation behaviours impacted by COVID-19 in relation to their importance regarding health impacts and climate change mitigation using a five-point Likert scale. Consensus on the importance of target behaviours was determined by interquartile ranges. In total, seven target behaviours were prioritised: installing double/triple glazing; installing cavity wall insulation; installing solid wall insulation; moving away from meat/emission heavy diets; reducing the number of cars per household; walking shorter journeys; and reducing day/weekend leisure car journeys. Barriers related to the costs associated with performing behaviours and a lack of complementary policy-regulated subsidies. The target behaviours are consistent with recommendations from previous research. To ensure public uptake, interventions should address behavioural facilitators and barriers, dovetail climate change mitigation with health co-benefits and account for the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on these behaviours.

Keywords: climate change mitigation; climate change behaviour; climate change and health; carbon emissions; climate change interventions; anthropogenic climate change; consumption climate change; domestic heating climate change; transportation climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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