Key Insights from the IMAGE Sustainable Lifestyles Project
From our project so far, we have analysed a broad range of literature around lifestyle changes and quantification methodologies, ranging from environmental psychology to agent-based modelling. As a result, we have:
- Identified various frameworks that facilitate how modelers should analyse lifestyle changes, for example, intent- and impact-orientations.
- Challenged modelers to look beyond the sectors that could limit how lifestyle changes are captured in models.
- Identified trade-offs between different approaches of representing lifestyle changes, from exogenous to fully endogenous.
- Broken down the contributions of lifestyle change impacts from the IAMs.
A meaningful way forward is to focus on the differentiation between avoid, shift and improve (ASI framework) and combining both intent- and impact-oriented methodologies while also representing the context and drivers of lifestyle changes. Even though we conducted a systematic review, critical articles may have been overlooked, especially with the ambiguity around the search terms and the variation in terminology between disciplines.
Furthermore, due to the broadness of this research and thus limited time to go into detail, the categorisation of lifestyle changes modelled could be improved. Most notably, only a few frameworks formed the lens through which we analysed the literature. However, other frameworks could have yielded different results and relevant outcomes. Based on these conclusions and limitations, the following are recommended actions for, in particular, the IAM community, but also others to undertake.
Furthermore, due to the broadness of this research and thus limited time to go into detail, the categorisation of lifestyle changes modelled could be improved. Most notably, only a few frameworks formed the lens through which we analysed the literature. However, other frameworks could have yielded different results and relevant outcomes. Based on these conclusions and limitations, the following are recommended actions for, in particular, the IAM community, but also others to undertake.
- Harmonise lifestyle change definitions, especially within the IAM community
- Expand the range of novel modelling approaches
- Expand the range of transformative solutions modelled
- Add essential nuanced details to depict lifestyle changes in IAMs Consider the whole picture, both intent- and impact-perspectives
- Strategically address trade-offs between exogenous inputs and endogenous modelling
