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Beyond the water efficiency calculators

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Conference contribution Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Abstract

Evidence suggests that since water shortages are partly rooted in human behaviour, theenvironmental impact can consequently be managed through behaviour change. Beforebehaviour change can occur the existing behaviour must first be observed, and theinfluences understood. Even though research in environmental behaviour is abundant,past studies attempting to link psychological variables to conservation behaviour arethought to have produced mixed, inconclusive findings. Moreover, most of this researchhas concentrated on recycling and energy conservation, and there are still few studiesinvestigating the combined physical, sociological and psychological aspects of householdwater usage to a sufficient level of detail and granularity.This paper presents findings of an initial review of behavioural theories and models inexisting literature learning from the broad evidence in resource efficiency studies forspecific applications to water efficiency. The paper concludes with an integratedframework for the design and delivery of water efficiency interventions. This frameworkwill provide the theoretical basis to a study which aims to propose a simplifiedintervention approach that integrates the physical, sociological and psychologicalinfluences in water efficiency interventions.The resulting framework is also beneficial in the wider context to align detailed andaccurate water end use data with a range of socio-demographic, stock inventory,residential attitude and behavioural factors. This will aid the development of tools andtechniques that are capable of revealing the determinants of water end use. This willcontribute to even more robust understanding of water demand and inform the design ofeffective water use interventions.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Conference contribution Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 19-28

Publication milestones

  • Published - 09/09/2014

Publication status

Published - 09/09/2014

Place of publication

Brighton, UK

Publisher

WATEF Network/ University of Brighton

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/625183

Host publication title

Proceedings of the Water Efficiency Conference 2014

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