How can governments help people reduce their environmental footprint?

Governments around the world are encouraging people to factor the environment into their everyday lives and purchases. Is it leading to more sustainable consumption? Are households ‘going green’?

These are some of the critical questions addressed in the OECD’s Greening Household Behaviour. Focusing on five key areas where households exert pressure on the environment - energy, water, transport, food and waste - the report surveys more than 12,000 households in 11 countries to identify whether governments – and people – are on the right track.

Price incentives are the key to spurring change. For instance, the survey finds that ‘pay-as-you-throw charges’ encourage people to generate 20 – 30% less waste and that households paying for the amount of water they consume are more likely to use it efficiently.

See full Press Release: http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/how-can-governments-help-people-reduce-their-environmental-footprint.htm