The Program of Applied Research on Climate Action in Canada (PARCA Canada) combines behavioural science (BeSci) insights and methods with robust policy analysis to promote climate action. One of the main areas of focus involves the launch of a longitudinal survey that will, over time, collect data on research questions of interest to the promotion of climate action in Canada (e.g. transportation, home energy use, waste management, engagement with nature, preparedness for extreme weather,…
Behavioural Insights Projects
Discover projects applying behavioural science to policy from around the world. Add your own projects, whether completed or still ongoing, to contribute knowledge on BI applications across different countries, policy areas, and topics of interest.
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To help improve the impact of cyber security advice for individuals and small businesses, BETA partnered with the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to design and test different formats of advice. We conducted focus groups and two survey experiments (surveys with embedded randomised controlled trials) to understand whether behavioural insights concepts are effective in shifting people’s intentions to enact safer cyber security practices. We surveyed small and medium business (SMB) owners…
Installation of large, moveable trash containers and trash cans in convenient locations made disposal of large trash bags and litter easier for residents of New York City public housing. A package of indoor and outdoor posters informed people of the new policy and encouraged them to use the new infrastructure.
Water scarcity remains common in Brazil, especially in the Recife Metropolitan Region (RMR) in the State of Pernambuco. The RMR is subject to particularly high levels of non-revenue water—which occur when high volumes of water produced do not generate revenue for the supplier. While some losses may be due to structural and operational inefficiencies such as leaky pipes, clients also play a key role by defaulting on their water payments or installing bypasses to consume water free of charge.…
BI Project
Exploring Opportunities to Increase Canadians’ Awareness and Understanding of the Canada Carbon…
Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR; formerly known as Climate Action Incentive Payment) is a tax-free, quarterly payment paid to Canadians by the federal government in eligible provinces to offset the costs of federal pollution pricing. According to recent results from the Program of Applied Research on Climate Action (PARCA), eligible Canadians have low awareness of CCR and think that carbon price costs them more than they receive in CCR payment. In fact, support for carbon pricing has been declining…
BI Project
Helping social assistance recipients in finding work: Does a different approach lead to more people…
In a series of field experiments, six municipalities investigated whether a different approach in social assistance could get more people into work. The study focused on the effects of an exemption from the obligation to seek work, more intensive counselling or higher earnings disregards for additional income. A different approach can increase the number of people finding jobs. More research is needed.
Why the experiments were conducted: increasing the effectiveness of the Participation…
Overall, this research investigated how to enhance the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder collaboration in tackling climate change. By leveraging two socio-psychological theories – Self-Affirmation Theory (SAT) and Moral Foundations Theory (MFT),this study equipped facilitators with strategies to reduce identity threats, foster constructive dialogs, and ultimately contribute to the development of more effective solutions in the environmental domain.
BI Project
Higher COVID-19 vaccination rates: did mobile vaccination units result in an increase in the number…
In an effort to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates, mobile vaccination units were rolled out in late 2021. This strategy proved successful: the number of vaccinations administered was between 1.1 and 14.5 times higher in neighbourhoods on the days they were visited by mobile units. The units were more effective in rural areas than in urban settings. In addition, they proved to be more effective than average in neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of SGP voters and still effective, although to a…
Challenge
Many eligible college students fail to apply for financial aid offered by the federal government altogether. Of those who do apply, many more reduce their chances of receiving aid by failing to apply by the priority deadline. In the 2013-2014 school year, more than 80% of students at Arizona State University who filed their financial aid applications did so after the priority deadline had passed, which can result in a lower aid package. This project’s goal was to increase the number…
PROJECT SUMMARY
Students were sent two redesigned emails during the course selection process: a pre-registration email that laid out instructions and procedures for registration, and a post-registration email that notified students if any of their upcoming courses did not fit financial aid requirements.
IMPACT
The average aid award for students receiving both redesigned emails rose by $150.28 per student for the Spring semester compared with students who received neither email, with a total…