On November 1, 2024, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) awarded 2.9 million euros in financial support to the ‘ChangeAble’ project, led by Heleen de Coninck, climate scientist and professor at TU/e’s Department of IE&IS. This project is part of the NWA call ‘Behavioural Insights for Climate Policy’ and its goal is to improve the effectiveness and feasibility of climate policy in the Netherlands.

System transitions are urgently needed in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C and adapt society to climate change. Realizing these transitions requires government interventions by means of effective climate policy. Although policy plays an important role, achieving lasting behavioral change remains a major challenge. ChangeAble focuses on the relationship between climate policy and human behavior in order to promote system transitions.

The project is a collaboration between researchers from different institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders who will jointly conduct research in five key policy areas, including circular economy and sustainable agriculture. The project involves various disciplines, such as environmental psychology, communication science, policy science and mathematics.