Lifestyle change modelling for climate change mitigation: Complementary strengths, policy support, and research avenues

Environmental Science & Policy, vol. 173, pp. 104256

Abstract

Lifestyle changes are an essential, complementary measure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, also an important ingredient to climate policy. Computational models of lifestyle changes and their contribution to climate change mitigation can provide valuable insights in support of decision-making by individuals and policymaking. In this Perspective, we examine four modelling approaches with this in mind: input-output analysis, life cycle assessment, integrated assessment models, and agent-based models. They have different strengths and weaknesses related to spatial and temporal scales, sector representation, consumer heterogeneity, and impact assessment. Despite their differences, all are ultimately suitable for modelling different types of climate-friendly lifestyle changes – from sufficiency over efficiency to modal shift measures. Each modelling approach provides useful, albeit partial, insights into lifestyle changes. The identified challenges call for both continual refinements within individual model frameworks and hybrid methods that bridge their respective strengths and allow for representing lifestyle changes more comprehensively. Together, they inform about the theoretical mitigation potential, initiative feasibility, behavioural plasticity, and policy effectiveness of lifestyle changes. Ultimately, cross-disciplinary collaboration will be key to designing lifestyle-focused policies that are both impactful and acceptable. • We examine IOA, LCA, IAM, and ABM modelling approaches regarding lifestyle changes. • Models have complementary strengths, from impact assessment to actor heterogeneity. • Information resulting from such models can support climate policy processes. • Empirical fields are in development as a science & practice, giving partial views. • Interdisciplinarity allows a more comprehensive representation of lifestyle change.

Authors 11

1. Laura Scherer corresponding Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Mariësse A.E. van Sluisveld

   Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency

   Affiliation as printed

   PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, The Hague, The Netherlands

3. Nicole J. van den Berg

   Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

4. Stephanie Cap Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

5. Agnese Fuortes Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

   Leiden University · National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

   RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

6. Lynn A. de Jager

   National Institute for Public Health and the Environment · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

   RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

7. Ryu Koide

   National Institute for Environmental Studies · Institute for Global Environmental Strategies · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

   Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Hayama, Japan

   National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan

8. Arjan de Koning Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

9. Giacomo Marangoni

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

10. Francesca Rubiconto

    United Nations University – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology · Wageningen University & Research

    Affiliation as printed

    United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

11. Anne M. van Valkengoed

    University of Groningen

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands