Implementing Sustainability: The Behavioral-Institutional Dimension

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Sustain

OSTI ID:1087505

Malone, Elizabeth ^[1]; Diamond, Richard C. ^[2]; Wolfe, Amy K ^[3]; Sanquist, Tom ^[1]; Payne, Christopher ^[2]; Dion, Jerry ^[4]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
2. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
3. ORNL
4. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Organizations, both public and private sector, are increasingly pursuing strategies to reduce their energy use and increase sustainability. Whether these efforts are based on economic rationale, community spirit, environmental ethics, federal mandates, or other reasons, they predominantly feature strategies that rely on new technologies. If there is any focus on behavior change, it is typically addressed to changing individual behavior. While we recognize the importance and limitations of the role of individual behavior in promoting sustainability goals, we are more interested in the role of institutional behavior. We have reviewed the small but growing literature on institutional behavior change, and have identified eight evidence-based principles as a guide for federal agencies to take action. This article presents the principles and illustrates them with examples to suggest ways that they can serve as models for others.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1087505
• Journal Information: Sustain, Journal Name: Sustain Journal Issue: 28 Vol. Spring/S
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Sustain
Sustainable
Sustainable Behavior