The challenge
The Committee on Climate Change estimates that the majority of actions needed to reach the UK’s Net Zero target will involve some degree of behavioural or societal change and that we cannot rely on technological solutions alone. On a global basis, household consumption accounts for almost three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts through resource use and human activity. High-impact shifts in behaviours and choices are needed that are consistent with the scale of the climate and ecological challenge. These changes need not be expensive or reduce individuals’ well-being and could deliver huge co-benefits to public health, the economy and beyond. But these behavioural changes will not happen at the pace required unless policy and other interventions removes obstacles to change in markets and new choices. There is an urgent need to identify and implement solutions for promoting, incentivising and enabling greater engagement and action in domestic and organisational settings from citizen-consumers, businesses, organisations and governments.
Our aims and expertise
The Behaviour Change in Energy and Environment Policy Network (BEEP) brings together Imperial College London’s wide-ranging expertise on behaviour change on topics as diverse as low carbon lifestyles, pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour of individuals and businesses, public engagement, demand-side flexibility, customer-centred energy business models, technology adoption and use patterns, travel behaviour, organisational behaviour, adoption of resource management and biodiversity conservation initiatives.
The BEEP Network contributes to knowledge on evidence, methodologies and solutions by connecting and sharing efforts on behaviour change, energy, and environmental policy research at Imperial College. The Network also supports research and policy impact activities, civic society outreach and public engagement strategies.