Foreword – Why the IpBc/GIECo? why now?

The International Panel on Behaviour Change (IpBc/GIECo) was founded to study the human factors driving or inhibiting change during ecological, social, and economic transitions. Modelled on institutions such as the IPCC, it focuses on behavioural science to understand why sustainability initiatives often fail to achieve desired engagement. Its mission is to integrate transdisciplinary behavioural research to inform global transition strategies at individual, collective, and organisational levels.

The panel aims to combine scientific rigour with societal applicability by engaging governments, businesses, and citizens. It promotes transparency, independence, and open access to its findings. The report identifies five levels of intervention: primary prevention (early learning and cooperation), secondary/tertiary prevention (targeted adaptation), curative (resilience-building), symptomatic (incentives and facilitation), and palliative (regulatory and punitive actions).

Introduction – Beyond Rationality: A View From Behavioural Sciences Applied To Ecological Transition
The introduction argues that natural sciences alone cannot explain or influence human responses to climate and biodiversity crises. Behavioural sciences are needed to analyse the subjective, emotional, and cognitive dimensions of human action. Humans are not purely rational actors; emotions, implicit beliefs, and social contexts heavily influence choices.

Transdisciplinary research is essential to address behavioural complexity across micro (individual), meso (community), and macro (systemic) levels. Six key “bets” are outlined: scientific integration of behavioural fields, transdisciplinary collaboration, improved status of behavioural sciences in policy, comprehensive literature synthesis, accessibility for stakeholders, and systemic analysis beyond the individual.

Across chapters, common findings highlight that:

• Rational data alone has limited influence on behaviour.
• Implicit cognition and emotion are major drivers of action and inaction.
• Effective interventions must combine psychological, social, and structural factors.

Chapter 1 – Social-psychological interventions promoting behavioural change for the ecological transition

Behavioural interventions should target both internal (values, attitudes, emotions) and external (regulations, norms, context) factors. Effective interventions include incentives, feedback, communication, and environmental design. Strategies follow the ABC model—Antecedent (stimulus), Behaviour, Consequence—and can be informational (knowledge-based) or structural (context-altering).

Evidence shows that combined approaches, such as financial incentives with education, yield better outcomes. For example, feedback mechanisms reduced household energy use, and nudges (e.g., defaults, prompts) increased sustainable choices. However, short-term effects often fade without reinforcement, and sustained change depends on habit formation and intrinsic motivation.

Chapter 2 – The intersection of poverty and behavioural change for sustainable lifestyles

The report highlights tension between poverty reduction and sustainability goals. Many anti-poverty measures rely on increasing consumption, which heightens ecological impact. For example, ecological footprints in developing nations like Bolivia (2.8 global hectares per capita) already exceed sustainable limits (1.5 gha).

Behavioural research indicates that poverty reduces cognitive capacity and reinforces consumerist aspirations. Sustainable transitions must therefore redefine well-being beyond material consumption. Policy design should include behavioural insights to reshape aspirations and provide non-consumerist pathways to “the good life”.

Chapter 3 – Communication and behavioural change in a time of ecological transition

Communication is not merely information transfer but a social process shaping meaning, norms, and trust. The report challenges the “data-deficit” assumption—that more information leads to behavioural change. Effective communication should consider emotions, uncertainty, and trust, using participatory and context-sensitive methods to build shared understanding.

Chapter 4 – Emotions in transition: will eco-anxiety save our civilisation?

Eco-anxiety, stemming from constant exposure to environmental threats, can motivate action or paralysis. The ability to act depends on perceived efficacy, social support, and coping capacity. Emotional regulation and community-based engagement can convert anxiety into constructive behaviour.

Chapter 5 – The role of implicit cognition in developing a pro-environmental organisational culture

Organisational change requires addressing unconscious beliefs such as “profit outweighs responsibility”. Implicit cognition and cultural norms strongly shape behaviour, often more than explicit rules. Embedding sustainability into organisational identity and leadership values is crucial for enduring transformation.

Chapter 6 – Beyond data: The role of mindsets in closing the climate financing gap

Despite commitments to net zero, financial allocations remain insufficient. The report attributes this to cognitive biases, industry culture, and short-term risk aversion. Shifting mindsets within investment institutions—through reflection on purpose, long-term value, and peer influence—is essential for closing the financing gap.

Chapter 7 – Homo economicus vs entrepreneurial moderation practices

Traditional economics assumes self-interest and profit maximisation. The report contrasts this with “entrepreneurial moderation”, which integrates prudence, care, and collective responsibility. Transforming the underlying assumptions of economic actors can foster more ethical and sustainable business practices.

Chapter 8 – Ecological citizenship for a diversity of necessary behavioural changes

Ecological citizenship extends civic responsibility to include interactions with non-human life and ecosystems. It promotes shared responsibility for biodiversity and ecological limits, encouraging ethical reflection and participatory governance.

Afterword – Food for transversal thoughts

The report concludes that behavioural change depends less on data and more on understanding human subjectivity, emotions, and implicit cognition. It calls for sustained, transdisciplinary collaboration to integrate behavioural insights into ecological, social, and economic transitions.