Green consumers and public policy: On socially contingent moral motivation
Link to article:
Authors:
Nyborg, K., R.B. Howarth, and K.A. Brekke
Year:
2003
Reference:
Memorandum
Number in series: 31
Summary
'Green' consumers appear to accept individual responsibility for public good provision. The propensity to take such responsibility may depend on beliefs about others’ behavior, even for consumers motivated by internalized moral norms, not by social sanctions. This can produce multiple equilibria, with either high or low demand for “green” products. Permanent increases in green consumption may be achieved through permanent or temporary taxes, or through advertising that temporarily influences beliefs about others’ behavior or about external effects. If a tax is interpreted as taking responsibility away from the individual, however, taxes can reduce the influence of moral motivation.
Project:
Oppdragsgiver:Oppdragsgivers prosjektnr.:
Frisch prosjekt: 3113 - Green consumers and producers
Contact:
karine.nyborg@frisch.uio.no
Financing:
Research Council of Norway
