Climate Change: The Role of the Individual

Kerr, Gary

Abstract

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets targets for Scotland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, based on 1990 levels. In order to achieve this target, it is widely recognised that individuals have a very important role to play in lowering their carbon footprint. This briefing discusses factors that affect such behaviour change, such as leadership, cost and social norms. In addition, the briefing examines the key areas where individuals can change their behaviour to lead a more sustainable lifestyle and describes associated policy encouraging people to do so. So called “environmentally-friendly behaviour” can be associated with positive social, health and financial impacts.

• Report Type: Policy Document
• Acceptance Date: Jul 13, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Jul 13, 2012
• Publication Date: Jul 13, 2012
• Deposit Date: Feb 19, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 1, 2019
• Keywords: Greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint, individual responsibility, behavioural change,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1596288
• Publisher URL: https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/53043.aspx
• Contract Date: Mar 1, 2019