Behavioural and economic policy for sustainable consumption
Every day, individuals make a myriad of choices that, although tiny if taken in isolation, may result in large health and environmental costs if aggregated over individuals or over time. The transition towards sustainable and circular economies will require profound changes in these individual habits and choices. Environmental economics has crucial role to play in guiding this transformation process.
We use concepts and theories from environmental and behavioural economics to study how stakeholders, such as consumers, businesses and governments can collectively contribute to the transition to more sustainable and circular economies. We use theoretical models of human behaviour and public decision-making in the context of environmental problems. We apply, test and develop these contexts mostly in an experimental setting in the field or lab. We contribute by research that focuses on improving the understanding of stakeholder preferences and the factors that influence these preferences, such that these stakeholders can be encouraged to make more healthy and sustainable decisions. Besides that, we study how effective economic policy interventions can be designed that contribute to a variety of targets, including happiness, health and sustainability.
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Research themes
Energy transitions and climate policy economics
We apply the concepts of environmental and resource economics to study the economic and climate impacts of policy responses to climate change.
Behavioural and economic policy for sustainable consumption
We study how stakeholders, such as consumers, businesses and governments can collectively contribute to the transition to more sustainable and circular economies.
Economics of resilient socio-ecological systems
We aim to better understand how sustainability in socio-ecological systems can be achieved and maintained over time.