The field of behavioral economics enhances the ability of social science research to effectively inform socially efficient climate policy at the microeconomic level, in part due to the dependence of climate outcomes upon present and future human consumption patterns. Since the behavioral field is relatively new, environmental and resource economists still have scarce evidence as to why people make particular decisions. For this thesis, I have conducted both field and laboratory experiments to address market failures highly relevant to environmental outcomes, namely international public goods problems and externalities from fuel and resource consumption. My methodology capitalizes upon the benefits of each experimental methodology—laboratory, artefactual, framed, and natural—to capture the effects of particular informational and contextual elements on subsequent behavior. While each methodology has its potential advantages and shortcomings, I contend that the complete toolkit is necessary to study a broad range of relevant environmental contexts. For instance, while natural field experiments are generally considered the “gold standard” in terms of exogeneity and generalizability, many settings in which field experimentation may provide tremendous insight preclude randomization across unknowing subjects. Similarly, researchers may not have access to populations of interest, though lab experimentation may still provide insights into the behavior of these populations or reveal motivations not yet captured in neoclassical utility functions. In this thesis, I will detail results from one of each experimental type, each suited to the context of interest. The natural field experiment in Chapter 2 aims to discern whether there is a role for environmental preferences and cognitive dissonance to play in encouraging individuals to engage in resource-conserving behaviors, and suggests that the latter may be effective in changing the behavior of green consumers. Chapter 3 presents the results of a large-scale framed field experiment comprising all eligible captains in Virgin Atlantic Airways, which tested the impacts of personalized information, tailored targets, and prosocial incentives on captains’ performance of fuel-efficient behaviors. In addition to documenting a substantial Hawthorne effect, we provide intent-to-treat estimates of the three types of feedback to show that tailored targets are the most (cost) effective strategy of those implemented. I introduce a complementary artefactual field experiment in Chapter 4, which allows for detailed scrutiny of captains’ fuel efficiency based on their social preferences as well as preferences and attitudes toward risk and uncertainty. I find that more risk-averse captains are more prone to over-fuel, that prosocial incentives increase captains’ well-being, and that revealed altruism increases responsiveness to prosocial incentives. Finally, Chapter 5 aims to provide insight into the effects of “side deals” in facilitating cooperation on international climate agreements. Using a lab experiment, we find that side deals alter the composition of group contribution to climate change mitigation, eliciting increased effort on the part of players with higher wealth.

Aquatic ecosystems are threatened by a variety of contaminants contained in road runoff. Pollutant mitigation is therefore an important function of sustainable drainage systems such as vegetated ponds. However, design is predominantly based on “black box” approaches. In addition, most studies do not evaluate alternative design layouts for a given location and hydrological regime. This research project evaluates a small vegetated pond, by means of experimental and numerical methods. The vegetated wet detention pond (two flow balancing basins separated by a berm) had 1.6m maximum depth, 304m³ storage capacity, a hydro-brake controlling the outflow, and was equipped with sediment traps and stage loggers (at the inlet/outlet) for monitoring purposes. It received road runoff after a bio-retention area and a swale (L=80m) adjacent to an urban road. Experimental methods included the collection of water/sediment from strategic parts of the system and subsequent analysis. Water quality investigation included BOD5, COD, TSS, VSS, pH, heavy metals and other elements. Sediment quality analysis included particle size distribution, accumulation rates, volatile substance content and heavy metal/elements concentrations in different size fractions. Numerical methods included the evaluation of the current design under extreme flow conditions, in terms of flow distributions, followed by investigating alternative geometries for the same footprint in the interest of promoting sustainable flow regimes and sedimentation potential. The storm events exhibited first flush patterns in the inflow, but linear associations between many pollutants in the inlet and the outlet, suggested short-circuiting was affecting effluent quality during storm events. The pond system showed variability and complexity in the behaviour of pollutants with influences due to spatial, seasonal, and site-specific effects. The pollution levels in the pond (water, sediments) were low compared to standards and the pond seemed to have relieved the River Wallington (receiving water-body) from a great amount of pollution. However, increased salinity and low biodegradability of material found in the pond could be of concern in the long-term. The system promoted sedimentation although there was indication of post-depositional re-suspension especially under high flows. Vegetation probably encouraged buffering while increasing the levels of biogenic debris in the pond water. The main factors contributing to the water and sediment quality fluctuations were identified during this study. These factors were of a broad-spectrum of variables related to environmental stressors and design properties. The modelling of the vegetation was very intricate although the CFD code modelled relatively accurately the flow distributions within the vegetated domain. The simulations suggest that the excessive vegetation diverged the flow from the basins to the un-vegetated banks and therefore, increased the re-suspension potential of settled material. The response of this particular vegetated pond in terms of sedimentation potential and velocity distributions (during the design flow) was highly influenced by the geometry and the vegetation cover of the pond system. In addition, simulations indicated that the most appropriate design layout for the given flow regime was an elliptical pond with a submerged/emergent island placed at a central location. The response of this pond layout, in respect of velocity distributions, could be up to 30% more efficient than the existing configuration. The research findings of this study contributed to greater knowledge of the dynamic nature of treatment mechanisms in vegetated SuDS and offered innovative information on how to simulate (vegetated) SuDS ponds using CFD codes.

Dans cette thèse, nous parcourons la rationalité, la rationalité limitée et l’irrationalité dans les négociations climatiques. Nous avons commencé notre enquête en étudiant la rationalité instrumentale ou substantive des parties dans les négociations climatiques en supposant que ce type de rationalité intervient lorsque les agents dans les négociations agissent et se comportent comme étant des individus animés par des motivations économiques, politiques et sociales reflétant les conditions et les intérêts de leurs pays respectifs. Leur objectif étant la maximisation du profit. Ensuite, nous avons évoqué la théorie des jeux qui est une extension de la rationalité instrumentale dans un environnement marqué par une interaction entre plusieurs individus. Là encore, la rationalité instrumentale s’impose dans les négociations mais les acteurs tiennent compte des positions des autres individus dans le cadre d’accords non-coopératifs. Nous avons étudié un cas particulier qui est l’accord de Paris en tant qu’accord non-coopératif par excellence. Comme entrée de jeu dans le monde de la rationalité limitée et l’irrationalité, nous avons évoqué les paradoxes qui surgissent dans les jeux et nous les avons appliqués aux négociations climatiques à travers des expériences de pensée inspirées des expériences réelles effectuées par les auteurs et qui tendent à montrer que le but des acteurs n’est pas toujours la maximisation du profit. Dès lors que l’insuffisance des capacités cognitives et les facteurs psychologiques déterminent le choix et le comportement des agents, nous avons abordé les travaux de Kahneman et de Tversky sur les heuristiques en les appliquant aux négociations climatiques. Mais en exprimant le doute sur la présence dominante de ces heuristiques dans les décisions, les choix et le comportement des agents dans les négociations climatiques, nous avons critiqué cette approche psychologique. Cette critique nous a amené à voir que finalement l’approche fondationnelle de la rationalité limitée d’Herbert Simon ne s’applique pas vraiment à ce type de négociation. Si la rationalité substantive est inévitable dans l’explication des choix et des décisions des agents, comment alors résoudre le problème de l’insuffisance dans les capacités cognitives des agents qui est à la base de la rationalité limitée ? La solution qui a été adoptée est de recourir à une approche originelle qui consiste à énoncer que les agents compensent ces limites en puisant dans les ressources cognitives de l’environnement mais aussi en exploitant les possibilités offertes par le partage et la distribution de la cognition entre plusieurs agents dans les négociations climatiques. Cette approche a été bien vérifiée dans ces négociations. En récapitulant tous ces enseignements, nous avons conclu que les Etats-parties sont animés d’une rationalité instrumentale dès le départ des négociations et avant même de négocier et devant l’absence d’une autorité régissant le climat. Cette rationalité n’est limitée ni par l‘interaction avec d’autres agents comme l’explique la théorie des jeux ni par les facteurs psychologiques. Ces derniers n’interviennent que de manière fragmentaire et partielle. Par conséquent, la rationalité substantive basée sur la maximisation du profit reste entièrement valable dans les négociations climatiques. / In this thesis, we explore the rationality, the limited rationality and the irrationality in the climate negotiations. We began our investigation by studying the instrumental or substantive rationality of the parties in the climate negotiations, assuming that this type of rationality occurs when the agents in the negotiations act and behave as individuals driven by economic, political and social motives reflecting the conditions and interests of their respective countries. Their goal is maximizing profit. Then, we examine the game theory as an extension of the instrumental rationality evolving in an environment charaterised by an interaction between several individuals. Here again, instrumental rationality is essential in the negotiations, but the actors take into account the positions of other individuals in the framework of non-cooperative agreements. We have studied a particular case, which is the Paris Agreement as a non cooperative agreement. Given the latest developments of the game theory, which involve limited rationality and the irrationality, we have evoked the paradoxes that arise in the games. We have applied them to climate negotiations through thought experiments inspired by the real experiences cited in the literature, which tend to show that the goal of the actors is not always the maximization of profit. Since the inadequacy of cognitive abilities or psychological factors determines in large part the choice and behavior of agents, we have used the work of Kahneman and Tversky on heuristics by applying those heuristics to climate negotiations as a real manifestation of irrationality and psychological trend in the agent behavior. At this stage, some doubts arise about the real presence of these heuristics in decision process, choices and behavior of agents in climate negotiations. Thus, we criticized this psychological approach in an effort, which led us to see that ultimately Herbert Simon’s foundational approach to limited rationality, does not really apply to this type of negotiation. If substantive rationality is inevitable in the explanation of agents' choices and decisions, then how can the problem of insufficiency in the cognitive capacities of agents which is at the basis of limited rationality be solved? The solution that has been adopted is to use an original approach, which consists in stating that agents compensate for these limits by using the cognitive resources of the environment but also by exploiting the possibilities offered by cognition distribution and sharing between several agents in climate negotiations. Such approach was fully applied to climate negotiations. We concluded that States Parties are influenced by instrumental rationality from the outset of negotiations and even before negotiations, and in the absence of a climate international regulator. This rationality is not limited by interaction with other agents as explained by game theory or by psychological factors. The latter intervene only in a fragmentary and partial way. Therefore, substantive rationality based on profit maximization remains fully valid in climate negotiations.

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This thesis investigates the relationship between ecosystem services and human well-being through a case study in Cornwall, UK. The study examines how aspects of the economic and socio-cultural environment interact and influence participants’ constructs of well-being, as well as mediate, through mechanisms of access, their ability to benefit from ecosystem services. The research design is informed by Sen’s capability approach as well as insights from literatures on access theory, human well-being, and ecosystem services. While Sen’s approach potentially offers a novel means to explore the ecosystem services and well-being relationship, it is currently underutilised in this research context. Adopting an in-depth qualitative research approach, data collection took place over 21 months with the same cohort of participants, who face various types of socio-economic disadvantage. Focus groups, life history interviews, photo elicitation, and semi-structured interviews were used to (a) elicit local constructs of well-being, (b) explore the role of ecosystem services for well-being, and (c) identify mechanisms of access that mediate participants’ ability to benefit from valued ecosystem services. The analysis shows that capabilities are interlinked and multidimensional. Therefore, existing socio-economic constraints have important implications for capability formation, and also lead to a series of trade-offs in converting capabilities into well-being. The findings deliver new insights into existing conceptualizations of the ecosystem services and well-being relationship, highlighting the role of cultural practices as sources of well-being, and identifying cultural ecosystem services as an overarching theme rather than a discrete service type. Four types of access mechanisms emerge from the data, including psychological mechanisms, demonstrating that physical distance is an insufficient indicator of exposure to ecosystem services. The thesis concludes by suggesting that developing a capability theory for ecosystem services could aid disaggregated analyses and deliver more nuanced insights into the complex links between ecosystem services and well-being, by shifting the focus from outcomes to opportunities and the processes that contribute to particular outcomes.

Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), or Invasive Alien Species, are organisms introduced by humans outside their natural range that have “negative impacts on biodiversity, socio-economy or human health”. Growing awareness of the ecological and socio-economic impacts of INNS has led to a mushrooming of control attempts across the UK. The costs of such environmental management has grown far in excess of the availability of funds to afford control by professionals and led to widespread involvement of volunteers in INNS management and monitoring. This thesis aimed to identify challenges in collaborations between lay people and experts in ecological restoration and to critically examine some of the claims made about the benefits of citizen participation on the sustainability and democratisation of environmental management and on citizen empowerment. Qualitative research methodology was employed to explore in depth motivations, experiences, intentions and views of volunteers and of the organisations that attempt to enrol them in practical conservation work and monitoring activities. We found that caring for nature, the experience of nature and the activities, and social interactions were the three main drivers of volunteering. Importantly, over time, motivations were shaped by the interplay between individual expectations and experiences with the social and ecological context and changed from identifiable personal goals and functions to more complex attachments to the place and the group. Our research also revealed that while some of these key motivations may be recognised by project managers, their description of costeffectiveness, local ownership and empowerment as complementary volunteering goals were often not aligned in practice. Moreover, decision-making may remain largely expert-based, with volunteers not perceiving their knowledge to be valid or a useful contribution to decision-making. Enhancing the sustainability and democratic nature of INNS management requires reflexive practice of citizen engagement that explicitly considers different interests and views but also invites citizens to reflect on their role in the co-production of conservation practice and knowledge.

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Contributing to sustainable development is commonly noted as an overall goal for both Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Over a decade ago, EU Directive 2001/42/EC (SEA Directive) reinforced the need for strategic assessment of plans and programmes in the UK. However, the SEA Directive does not stipulate the methodological approach and, as environmental matters are devolved to the individual nations of the UK, implementation is varied. This research considers strategic assessment processes in England and Scotland and the implications of system variation upon the contribution made to sustainable development. Attention is paid to the purposes expressed for strategic assessment, the roles and relationships between actors and organisations involved and also the processes, practices and outcomes of SA and SEA. Two case studies of SA in England and two of SEA in Scotland as applied to development plans are analysed. A range of purposes for both SA and SEA are identified, including; regulatory compliance, identifying and documenting impacts, considering options and alternatives, allowing consultation, and informing and influencing plans. This research concludes that there exists variation between cases in the ambition held for strategic assessment, ranging from basic compliance to influencing plans. This research then focuses on the relationships between actors and organisations involved in SA and SEA with particular attention given to the role of assessment practitioners, planners and consultees. It is found that independence or ‘distance’, to provide legitimacy, and ‘closeness’, to enable influence, are both considered desirable features of the relationship between planning and assessment. In addition, overlap between consultation on both plans and assessment reports adds complexity to the role of consultees. Finally, this research concludes that strategic assessment influence is largely limited to marginal modifications to policy wording and explanatory text, including; strengthening language, increasing clarity, cross referencing to other policies and plans, and requiring lower tier assessments. Thus, strategic assessment fails to achieve more substantial influence, significantly limiting its ability to contribute to sustainability transition in development planning. A number of institutional barriers to increasing strategic assessment influence and contribution to sustainable development or sustainability are identified.

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