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ARCHIVE: Changing behaviour

"Whilst 90 per cent of people know that drinks cans can be recycled, only 50 per cent say they've actually ever done it." (NOP World research - WRAP, 2004)

Why change behaviour?

We all need to make different choices if we are to achieve sustainable development. But what we choose to do and how we behave are determined by many factors.

We think we will only succeed in making the changes we need if we adopt a new, comprehensive approach to policy making. We need to make sure that all the factors which are necessary to change behaviour are present - and then we need to ask ourselves if this is enough - and if not what more we need to do to bring about a change.

Government has produced a model of behaviour change (PDF 28KB) that can be applied to policy making, where the intention is to help people make better choices.

Defra is also developing toolkits and awareness raising materials in partnership with communication experts for better delivery of sustainable development through policies and services. A link will be provided when this material is available.

Getting communities involved

In England, a cross-government action plan, Together We Can is being developed to increase community engagement in solving public problems and improving people's quality of life.

Key links:

Updated: 8 January 2008