Reducing Emissions across the Consumption Cycle and an Agenda for Future Research on Consumers and Climate Change: Introduction to the Special Issue on Climate Change

This article discusses the urgent need for action against climate change, highlighting the significant impact of consumer behavior on emissions. It emphasizes that while individual actions can contribute to emission reductions, system-level changes are crucial for substantial progress. The articles in this special issue address how consumers can reduce emissions at various stages of the consumption cycle, as well as the effectiveness of labeling and prompts to influence consumer choices. It further explores the challenges of misleading claims and consumer perceptions, particularly in the food and product sectors, and the role of recycling and product disposition in emission reductions. Additionally, the issue examines the varying motivations behind consumer adoption of sustainable practices, illustrating the complex interplay of consumer knowledge, emotional responses, and social influences in addressing climate change.

© 2023 Association for Consumer Research. All rights reserved. Journal of the Association for Consumer Research. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/724997