Social Psychology for a Sustainable Future: Understanding and Promoting Pro-Environmental Action

Dear Colleagues,

The global environmental and climate crisis, manifested in phenomena such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss, coupled with increasing concerns about resource depletion and pollution, makes the transition towards more sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns an absolute priority for contemporary societies (European Environment Agency, 2025). Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort that goes beyond technological innovations and policy reforms, fundamentally focusing on understanding and changing human behavior. Research has consistently shown that the adoption of sustainable practices, tapping everything from energy conservation at home to choosing sustainable transportation options and making conscious purchasing decisions, is deeply influenced by a complex interplay of psychological and social factors (Scott et al., 2021). Understanding why people choose (or do not choose) to engage in pro-environmental behaviors – from simple actions like turning off lights and opting for reusable bags to more complex behaviors like adopting plant-based diets or accepting sustainable innovations like novel foods – is therefore fundamental for developing effective intervention strategies and promoting long-term change that truly addresses the scale of the global environmental challenges. This field of research, situated at the intersection of psychology, sociology, environmental sciences, and behavioral economics, is therefore of crucial importance for tackling global sustainability challenges and fostering a future where human actions are aligned with ecological well-being.

The aim of this Special Issue is to gather original research contributions and reviews that explore the decisive role of psychosocial factors in influencing and promoting the adoption of sustainable choices and behaviors. This collection of advanced research will shed light on the psychological mechanisms (such as motivations, emotions, decision-making processes, attitudes, and values) and social factors (such as norms, group identity, communication, social influence, and cultural contexts) underlying pro-environmental actions. Psychosocial factors represent a fundamental component of the social dimension of sustainability and are crucial for driving the behavioral change necessary to achieve sustainable environmental and economic goals, complementing technological and policy efforts by addressing the human element of the sustainability transition.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

• Psychosocial determinants (e.g., attitudes, values, social norms, beliefs, perceptions, identity) of sustainable behavior.
• Theoretical models of behavior change applied to sustainability contexts.
• Communication and social marketing strategies for promoting pro-environmental behaviors.
• The role of emotions, motivations, and sense of responsibility in fostering sustainability.
• Psychological impacts of environmental change, including eco-anxiety, climate distress, and their relationship with sustainable behavior and inaction.
• Psychosocial factors in the adoption of sustainable diets and novel foods.
• Psychological and social barriers to sustainable behavioral change.
• Public acceptance and perception of sustainability policies and technologies.
• Behavioral change intervention and/or behavior change techniques to promote sustainable consumption.
• Cultural and socio-demographic differences in psychosocial factors related to sustainability.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.  

Dr. Miriam Capasso
Guest Editor

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• psychosocial factors
• sustainable behavior
• behavior change
• environmental psychology
• sustainable consumption
• environmental emotions
• interventions
• social norms
• communication strategies
• motivation