Facilitating Behavioral Change

©2016 Net Impact. All rights reserved.

Quick TipsFacilitating Behavior Change for Climate Impact

©2016 Net Impact. All rights reserved. 2

How can you effectively launch a behavior change campaign at

work to shift towards sustainable choices?


1. Time it right


“There is a human survival aspect to it: that we can’t

constantly, everyday, change what we are doing.”

− Matt Biggar


High-potential opportunities for behavior change• New Office: Chance to change

commute, recycling, and purchases

• New Office Arrangement: Design can create a setting for behavioral shifts

• Outside Factors: Added infrastructure outside (like a bike lane, or subway stop) can promote positive choices

• New Employees: Provides platform to offer direction and support


2. Reframe motivation


What motivates your particular audience? Once you know this,

you can affect people’s practicaland intrinsic motivations.


Change the conversation by shifting language

Move emphasis away from “climate change” and “sustainability” to reach new audiences.

• Sustainable Transportation: Reframe discussion towards active transportation, community-oriented, healthy living

• Sustainable Food: Talk about local, seasonal, healthy food choices

• Energy Conservation: Explain the reduction of business costs and health benefits of natural light

• Waste Reduction: Shift focus from recycling/composting, to sharing items


3. Design an intervention


Keys to success?

• Individual commitment• Make it written, specific,

and public• Built-in supportive

social conditions• Find situational relevance with

others. What are the common denominators to influence individuals’ behavioral patterns?

• Promotes healthy and positive peer pressure


Keys to success (cont.)

• Learn through experience• Provide online and in-person check-ins• Mitigate negative social influences;

use social support• Share knowledge

• Build behavior-specific competence • By experiencing the practical benefits

of what you are changing, the behavior can internalize itself


Remember: change happens

in loops, not lines.


Change conditions to facilitate behavior change

Practical & intrinsic motivation

BehaviorHabits

Identity

Specific knowledge & competence

Physical conditions

Social conditions Learning

opportunities

Past experience


Want more?

View Matt Biggar’s webinarwww.netimpact.org/webinars/facilitating-behavior-change-for-climate-impact

Sign up to join Climate Disruptorswww.netimpact.org/sign-up-to-be-a-climate-disruptor

https://www.netimpact.org/webinars/facilitating-behavior-change-for-climate-impact

https://www.netimpact.org/webinars/facilitating-behavior-change-for-climate-impact

http://www.netimpact.org/sign-up-to-be-a-climate-disruptor

Facilitating Behavioral Change

Leadership & Management