The Little Book of Green Nudges

MAKE IT EASY

Use defaults The nudge: Make the more sustainable behaviour the default option. Evidence that it’s effective: Defaulting customers into a renewable electricity tariff in Germany led to a 10-times increase in the number of people on that tariff. 7 Why it works: People tend to stick with the default choice or the status quo . This is because we don’t engage consciously with many of our daily decisions, or we lack the motivation to take a different course of action. Defaults are also often perceived as a “safe bet” or an implicit recommendation.

Set the norm that diners will use their own cup and cutlery How? At cafeterias, coffee shops and catered events on campus, let people know that they are expected to bring and use their own reusable cups and cutlery. Only provide disposable cups and cutlery if people specifically request them.

Who might be involved? Campus catering coordinators

make the more sustainable option, such as a plant-based dish, the default

Make the most sustainable meal the default choice

How? At catered events on campus, make the more sustainable option, such as a plant-based dish, the default. If attendees want another option, such as red meat, they must pre-order it (the opposite of the current norm, which often requires people to pre-order plant-based food).

Who might be involved? Campus catering coordinators, catering companies

The Little Book of Green Nudges 10