New article alert: Nudge the rich!

Fresh off the press, a new open access article with Polaris Koi as lead author explores the choice of target groups in behavioural interventions, particularly in the climate context.

The paper is part of the interdisciplinary Climate Nudge project, showcasing collaboration between social scientists at the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare and philosophers at University of Turku. It is part of the Humanities and Social Sciences Communications thematic collection on behavioural public policy.

“Nudge the rich! The case for targeting the top 10% in behavioural climate policy“
Authors: Polaris Koi, Jukka Sivonen, Vuokko Härmä, Sakari Karvonen, Helena Siipi
Abstract: In interventions for the common good, such as in the climate context, the choice of a target group does not directly determine the beneficiaries of the intervention. Instead, efficacy, acceptability, and fairness emerge as core considerations in targeting interventions. This paper examines targeting the top 10% by income and assets in climate interventions in light of the above considerations. Addressing the climate crisis requires significant changes in the consumption patterns of those who consume most. We argue that the behavioural public policy community should do more to specifically address the consumption patterns of the rich.