Moments of Change” and Low‐Carbon Behaviors

A Multidisciplinary, Systematic Review

Bibliographic Data

ID12929009
AuthorsLorraine Whitmarsh (0000-0002-9054-1040, University of Bath, corresponding author), Kaloyan Mitev (0000-0001-6148-4852, University of Bath), Nash (0000-0003-4421-6041, University of Bath), Claire Hoolohan (0000-0002-1606-9614, University of Manchester), W Poortinga (0000-0002-6926-8545, Cardiff University), Colin Whittle (0000-0002-7622-9536, University of Bath), Paul Haggar (0000-0001-8753-1848, University of Bath), Christianne Tipping (0000-0002-7494-3576, Cardiff University), Harriet Dudley (0000-0002-7726-9388, University of East Anglia), Louise A Turner (0000-0003-0847-2232, University of Manchester), Daniel J Carr (0000-0002-6567-5549, Cardiff University), Linden Felder (0009-0007-1492-4721, University of Bath), Bas Verplanken (0000-0001-7217-0293, University of Bath), Hilary Graham (0000-0001-7949-6819, University of York)
Year2025
Volume16
Issue4
Publication date2025-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Climate Change (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1757-7780 • E-ISSN: 1757-7799
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/wcc.70014
OpenAlexW4413089809
LanguageEN
References cited202

Individual behavior change is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. Over the past two decades, significant attention has been given to specific instances when people's habits and routines may be more amenable to change. These instances are referred to as “moments of change” (MoCs). The recent and rapid increase in research in this area warrants a systematic review. We draw on evidence from 130 articles, identified through Scopus and Web of Science, examining the effects of biographical (e.g., relocation) and exogenous (e.g., financial crises) life events on climate change mitigation behaviors (e.g., mobility). Most of the research is focused on the Global North (e.g., UK, USA, and Germany), and comparability is limited due to the use of different methodologies. The results regarding low‐carbon behavior change during MoCs are mixed. When behavior change does occur, it is often influenced by contextual (e.g., physical infrastructure), demographic, social, and economic factors. The literature tends to focus more on biographical MoCs (particularly relocation) than exogenous MoCs, and on consumption behaviors (particularly mobility), rather than on social or political behaviors (e.g., activism). Few studies explicitly test theories or models; those that do primarily concentrate on the habit discontinuity hypothesis. Future research could focus on investigating more granular details of MoCs (e.g., habits, planning, and timing) and how interventions might be better targeted to leverage MoCs. This review highlights the importance of considering not only how to foster low‐carbon behavior change but also when to do so. This article is categorized under: Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Behavior Change and Responses

Behavior change · Climate change · Comparability · Greenhouse gas · Multidisciplinary approach · Psychological intervention · Relocation · Social science · Sociology · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Psychology · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy · Social Psychology · Ecology