Environmental identity in economics and policy-making

Abstract

This paper examines the role of environmental identity in environmental policy and economics, the extent to which environmental policies affect environmental identity, and the welfare implications. We begin by reviewing the identity economics literature and environmental identity literature, and then present a novel conceptual framework of identity and pro-environmental behavior. We discuss how policy interacts with environmental identity, particularly through shifting and priming. We conclude with suggestions for future policy-making, as well as the role of economics in environmental identity research