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Course 2
Applying behavioural insights to energy policy

Governments have several instruments at hand to encourage consumers to adopt greener technology, develop energy-efficient habits, or travel via sustainable modes of transport. However, well-intended policies are often impeded by people’s unwillingness to change, lack of interest, or limited mental resources.

In this video series, you will learn how to design energy policies that bring about positive behavioural changes among citizens and businesses. The three-module course is narrated by Ondrej Kacha, a behavioural scientist at The Behaviouralist.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain what is behavioural science and how it can be used in conjunction with traditional approaches to policy design

  • Give examples of behavioural factors and explain how they affect people’s response to energy policies

  • Apply a number of behavioural principles to improve the effectiveness of a specific energy programme

We hope that you enjoy this course!

Module 1: Introduction to behavioural science
length: 18 minutes

The first module introduces the basics of behavioural science. It answers questions such as why people do not always make rational choices and why we need to take this into account when designing demand-side energy programs.

Part 1: The unexpected reasons why some energy policies fail

Part 2: The unexpected reasons why some energy policies fail

Part 3: Behavioural factors that shape public response to energy policies

Part 4: How applying behavioural insights can make energy policies more effective

Module 2: Behavioural strategies to make energy policies more effective
length: 26 minutes

The second module presents five behavioural strategies that policy makers can apply to make their demand-side energy programs behaviourally informed and thus more likely to succeed.

Part 1: Behavioural strategies overview

Part 2: Increase public trust

Part 3: Reduce mental overload

Part 4: Make energy efficiency attractive

Part 5: Build positive social norms around reducing emissions

Part 6: Foster sustainable habits

Module 3: The behavioural design process
length: 16 minutes

The third module explains the behavioural design process - a way to systematically apply behavioural insights to policy and programme development.

Part 1: Introduction to behavioural design

Part 2: Define target behaviour

Part 3: Understand the frictions

Part 4: Apply behavioural insights

Course takeaways
length: 2 minutes

This concluding video provides an overview of modules 1, 2 and 3.

Course takeaways