Cooperate4Climate proposes a new direction to the research on shifting lifestyles by focusing on training cooperation for climate action. The main scientific contribution of this project is to tackle one of the four knowledge gaps on managing the social aspects of climate change mitigation identified in the latest IPCC report. The latest IPCC report of the Working Group III identified as knowledge gap 4, the need for further research on the “dynamic interaction between individual, social, and structural drivers of change” (IPCC 2022, ch. 5). This line of research generates novel empirical evidence on the causal impact of different elements of cooperation relevant to that dynamic interaction, specifically (i) individual preferences, (ii) strategic behaviour, and (iii) collective action, in fostering climate-friendly behaviour and more widespread support for climate policy. By designing and implementing behavioural interventions tackling each of these elements, as well as their synergies, this project generates novel empirical evidence that can help close the knowledge gap.
This line of research combines four novel approaches. First, a systematic empirical evaluation components of cooperation to fostering climate action (lifestyle changes and increased climate policy support). Second, interventions based on boosting broad climate action targeting adolescents. Third, evaluating multiplier effects of the interventions on adolescents within families. And fourth, a multi-method measurement instrument of individual impacts.
Cooperate4Climate designs and tests scalable versions of newly designed climate action-boosting interventions that go beyond climate literacy and nudging interventions. This line of research departs from traditional education focused on understanding the origins and implications of the climate crisis (typical "climate literacy" within the realm of natural sciences), to shift its focus to educating individuals on the decision-making processes that drive climate-friendly behaviour. The literature aiming at changing behaviour has focused on nudges, which can be effective but typically have limited and short-lived impacts. These approaches alone have not proven successful in generating sufficient social support and instigating the necessary behavioural changes for ambitious climate policies. The climate action-boosting interventions educate on the decision-making processes, incorporating individual preferences, the social context and the motivation for action in order to install climate-friendly actions, including support for more ambitious climate policies.