Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/148649 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
ZEW Discussion Papers No. 16-091
Publisher: 
Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW), Mannheim
Abstract: 
We study the effect of a subtle change in the choice architecture on offsetting behavior. In a large-scale field experiment, we examine repeated voluntary contributions to a carbon offsetting program during the online purchase of long-distance bus tickets. In the control group, travelers had the option to offset their carbon emissions resulting from their bus trip, but they could also simply ignore the offer. In the treatment group, travelers were forced to actively choose whether to offset their carbon emissions or not. This "active choice" requirement immediately increased participation in the offsetting program by almost 50%. Investigating returning customers, we find that this treatment remains effective over time. We report evidence that some customers tend to keep avoiding active contribution decisions in subsequent booking decisions.
Subjects: 
voluntary carbon offsets
randomized field experiment
default setting
choice architecture
JEL: 
H41
C93
D03
L92
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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