Work

Socioeconomic status mostly outweighs psychological factors in predicting individual ecological footprints

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In light of current risks posed by greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to obtain a deeper understanding of individual ecological footprints to devise effective mitigation strategies. This pre-registered survey study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status, psychological factors, and people’s ecological footprints in representative samples from six G7 countries (N = 5069). While psychological factors, especially biospheric values, are linked to smaller ecological footprints, socioeconomic status has a more substantial role; individuals high in socioeconomic status have larger footprints, primarily due to their increased transport activity (air and car travel). Counterintuitively, the stronger their pro-environmental stance, the larger their footprint. The implication is that pro-environmental values alone cannot mitigate climate change, especially among affluent populations. Instead, targeted mitigation strategies addressing lifestyle conditions and high-impact behaviours, such as air travel, are essential.

Source: Communications Earth & Environment

DOI: 10.1038/s43247-026-03521-z

Authors: Micha Kaiser, Malte Dewies, David Lin, Cass R. Sunstein, Lucia A. Reisch

Institutions: University of Cambridge, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Education and Sustainability

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,490