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Project title

Beyond Neoliberalism; Values and Sustainable Consumption Behaviour

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)

Lead Applicant

Vivienne Byers

Project Abstract

Recent moves by national and local policy makers have sought to encourage individuals to engage in a wide range of pro-environmental practices to address both discrete environmental problems and major, global challenges such as climate change (Barr et al. 2011). Theoretically, the field of behavioural management in environmental consumption is much contested (Hall 2013, Shove 2014). An approach that addresses the systematic, structural, and institutional perspectives on how institutions, through public policy initiatives, can develop and sustain change in behaviour towards sustainability in the future is sought. This review will consider the values both extrinsic but particularly intrinsic values, of an individual�s motivation to act within the constraints and norms of institutions and wider society. Considerable debate continues regarding behavioural change and policy learning. The proposed research aims to explore ways to gain more understanding of the values and motivations that influence sustainable consumption behaviour in society. It also seeks to define the interplay of these societal paradigms with regard to their influence on an individual�s intrinsic and extrinsic values and motivations. This in turn will inform and develop a framework for governance and sustainable policy development. Outputs will be achieved through peer-reviewed publications/conferences in policy/marketing/consumer-oriented journals, a final report with full project details, a Policy guidance document for national/local policy-makers, a Future Research Strategy Document, a Post-project Data Dissemination Plan report, a summary report (EPA website), routine project outputs (reports), other publications, databases, library records, articles/papers. The public face of the project will be maintained though the project website (ESHI hub) publicising information at different levels of complexity targeting audiences (policy-makers, companies, researchers, wider public). Impact achieved through: � addressing the Government�s aim (Sustainable Ireland 2012, M48:78) to inform an appropriate mix of suitable policies/instruments with reference to sustainable consumption through a state-of-the-art literature review, � addressing a major global societal challenge through improved understanding and co-operation across sectors, disciplines and themes for mutual benefit � opening-up avenues for further inter-disciplinary research (and capacity-building) (H2020) for business, environmental scientists/managers and policy/social scientists to evolve the current dominant social paradigm in understanding consumers� intrinsic motivations/values within institutional/societal constraints. � creating a Governance & Sustainability Policy Development Framework Impacts under 3 headings: 1. Society: Enhancing quality of life & health; Increasing effectiveness of public services/policy; Sustainable environment 2. Research: Publications; Information; Further research 3. Individuals: Behaviour; Motivation; Satisfaction/Inclusiveness

Grant Approved

�98,324.54

Research Hub

Sustainability

Research Theme

Socio-Economic Considerations

Start Date

01/02/2017

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/01/2018