ChangeAble

How can climate policy drive behavioural change?

The ChangeAble project develops new knowledge to accelerate sustainable behavioural change and better embed it in climate policy. At its core is the question of how policy can more effectively respond to the factors that shape human behaviour. ChangeAble investigates which individual, social, and contextual factors encourage sustainable behaviour, and how and when policy measures can best leverage these factors.

A key focus of the project is the role of social conventions and norms. By gaining a deeper understanding of how these emerge and evolve, policy can move beyond influencing individual choices to shifting broader societal patterns. ChangeAble identifies, develops, and tests interventions that support changes in social conventions across five key policy domains.

An important concept within the project is that of tipping points: moments when behavioural change accelerates and spreads as social norms begin to shift. By improving our understanding of the timing and interaction of policy measures, ChangeAble aims to help create these tipping points and enable a broader and faster transition to sustainable behaviour.

The strength of the project lies in its combination of fundamental research and close collaboration with ministries and societal organisations. This collaboration ensures that scientific insights are directly connected to policy practice and real-world challenges, and that developed interventions are aligned with implementation realities.

Through this approach, ChangeAble contributes to climate policy that is not only more effective and efficient, but also better aligned with what motivates people, increases public support, and leads to more equitable outcomes.