Save A Tree or 6 kg of CO2? Understanding Effective Carbon Footprint Interventions for Eco-Friendly Vehicular Choices

TL;DR

This study investigates how different informational and framing interventions influence consumers' choices towards eco-friendly vehicle options in ride-hailing and car rental contexts, highlighting effective strategies to promote carbon reduction.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the impact of CO2 equivalency presentation and framing effects on eco-friendly vehicle selection, informing intervention design.

Findings

CO2 by weight most effectively promotes green choices

Information about emissions increases eco-friendly selections

Framing effects influence decision-making in vehicle choices

Abstract

From ride-hailing to car rentals, consumers are often presented with eco-friendly options. Beyond highlighting a "green" vehicle and CO2 emissions, CO2 equivalencies have been designed to provide understandable amounts; we ask which equivalencies will lead to eco-friendly decisions. We conducted five ride-hailing scenario surveys where participants picked between regular and eco-friendly options, testing equivalencies, social features, and valence-based interventions. Further, we tested a car-rental embodiment to gauge how an individual (needing a car for several days) might behave versus the immediate ride-hailing context. We find that participants are more likely to choose green rides when presented with additional information about emissions; CO2 by weight was found to be the most effective. Further, we found that information framing - be it individual or collective footprint, positive or negative valence - had an impact on participants' choices. Finally, we discuss how our findings inform the design of effective interventions for reducing car-based carbon-emissions.