PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY THROUGH CAR USE REDUCTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF SITUATIONAL FACTORS

Rising car ownership and use worldwide is in several respects a threat to the environment. Transport researchers and policymakers have suggested and implemented policy measures to reduce car use and encouraged pro-environmental travel behaviour. The success or failure of these policies depends on a robust understanding of the factors influencing car use behaviour and most importantly situational factors facilitating car use. A sound understanding of the situational factors is the key to the effectiveness and success of car use reduction policies. This study examines the importance of car use facilitating situational factors in the promotion of sustainable mobility in urban areas. Data were obtained in a cross-sectional survey of 691 motorists in Lagos, Nigeria through purposive sampling technique, while the data analysis was done using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicated car access, time pressure and car use intention contributed 43% explained variance in car use behaviour. Car access had the largest direct effect on car use behaviour, followed by time pressure. Considering all the constructs in the model, car use intention was responsible for most of the variation in car use behaviour. The implications of the results from this study regarding the promotion of sustainable transportation and car use reduction are discussed.

Towards an understanding of when non-climate frames can generate public support for climate change policy

There is a growing tendency for policy makers to frame climate change action in terms of non-climate benefits, raising important empirical questions regarding the utility of such approaches. Across three studies we explore whether (and when) non-climate frames can lead to greater support for climate policy relative to climate frames. In Study 1 we framed a car-use reduction policy in relation to climate change or public health and showed that non-climate frames can stimulate greater support for climate policy. Study 2 explored frame relevance as a potential boundary condition to the efficacy of non-climate frames. Study 3 found that attempts to frame climate policy in relation to non-climate issues that affect participants personally can fail if that issue is not seen as being sufficiently relevant. We suggest that non-climate frames can be an effective tool in stimulating support for climate policy, however greater consideration of the key mechanisms is required.