Behavioural Insights Series: No. 2
Summary: This report summarises how behavioural science is being applied both internationally and in Ireland to help achieve climate action targets.
This report is the second publication in the EPA's Behavioural Insights series. It was commissioned by the Behavioural Insight Unit at the Environmental Protection Agency and prepared by researchers at University College Dublin. The report summarises how behavioural science is being applied both internationally and in Ireland to help achieve climate action targets.
This report is divided into three parts:
Part one provides an introduction to behavioural science and behavioural public policy. This provides a reader with a solid grounding in the most important behavioural concepts and theories, and notably outlines the ethics of behavioural intervention.
Part two analyses how behavioural insights are used internationally and in Ireland in various key economic sectors. A key result of this analysis is that, while there is scope in many sectors in Ireland to improve the design and implementation of environmental policies, the application of behavioural insights is more advanced in some sectors than in others.
Part three provides insights for environmental policy making. It suggests an important role for behavioural insights in environmental policymaking. Practical recommendations are provided for the use of behavioural science in enhancing the effectiveness of traditional environmental policies.
https://www.epa.ie/media/epa-2020/Insight-report-2-2024-Gap-analysis.JPG