Net Zero is a behavioural problem
Net Zero is a behavioural problem
Australia’s (and the world’s) journey to Net Zero is more than just an engineering or economic challenge – it’s a behavioural one. Most climate solutions require some social or behavioural change. Human behaviour is at the heart of any climate solution, whether it be:
the adoption of green technologies like solar panels, electric vehicles, and smart home energy solutions;
A large infrastructure project, like the introduction of transmission lines or offshore wind, or
lifestyle changes in the way we travel, eat, and waste.
The good news is that most Australians want to be part of the journey to Net Zero. However, many of the necessary behaviours that are required are too expensive, too inconvenient, too unappealing or simply not the default or norm we are used to.
To get to Net Zero, we need to find practical ways to help people make the sustainable choice, the easy and attractive choice. The only way to do this is to understand:
the barriers people face when trying to make greener choices,
the evidence and theory of behavioural change,
the complex processes of innovation and diffusion of ideas and technologies, and
the data on public attitudes and support for policy.
Join Dr Alex Gyani and Saul Wodak, who will talk about the hundreds of ways this have been done across the globe and learn how you can apply the behavioural lens in your own work.
Speakers:
Saul Wodak– The Behavioural Insights Team
Saul is a Senior Advisor at BIT’s Sydney office. Saul’s work at BIT has been predominantly in the areas of energy and sustainability. Saul’s recent projects have focused on how to effectively communicate to the public about the climate crisis and build support for climate solutions, and the development of the National Guidelines for Community Engagement and Benefits for Electricity Transmission Projects. Saul’s work to develop interventions to help consumers identify greenwashing has been published in the New York Times and the Australian.
Saul has also worked on projects as diverse as misinformation, gender equality, education, consumer welfare and digital health. Saul has developed deep skills in primary research and works on various project phases, including initial literature reviews, qualitative research, facilitation of workshops, trial and solution design and implementation, and reporting of results and recommendations.
He completed an MSc in Behaviour Change at University College London in 2019 and a B.Lib Studies with an Honours in Psychology at the University of Sydney.
Alex Gyani – The Behavioural Insights Team
Dr Alex Gyani is Managing Director of the Behavioural Insights Team’s APAC offices and has been based in Sydney since 2014. He advises governments across the region and internationally on applying behavioural science to improve policy outcomes and strengthen evidence-based decision-making. Since joining BIT in 2012, Alex has led work across energy and financial regulation, domestic violence, health system efficiency, employment services, obesity, and education. He previously oversaw research and evaluation across Singapore, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand, and led the Aotearoa New Zealand office from 2018–2021.
Alex holds a PhD focused on increasing treatment uptake for anxiety and depression using digital interventions and was named one of Apolitical’s 100 Future Government Leaders in 2018.
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