Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of the psychology behind sustainable consumer behavior and how marketers can tap into science to influence buying behavior. Close to half of U.S. consumers think that businesses share most of the responsibility for sustainable practices, per statista, with personal responsibility coming second, and government regulation coming last. It’s clear that businesses that want to thrive in the next decade must be focused on creating business models that are green and transparent.

This opinion is across demographics for US consumers. Marketers need to stop focusing on arbitrary demographic data and start focusing on “psychographics”. Psychographics are psychological types of drivers of behavior, attitudes, values, motives, and lifestyles. These attributes build real community around your business. One proven marketing technique that uses psychographics to its fullest is called the priming effect. By using different forms of social influence, brand attributes, and lifestyle, businesses can align themselves with consumers as allies in their fight for sustainability. 

Social factors, especially capital, may be one of the most powerful forms of persuasion in the marketer’s toolkit. When individuals observe their peers adopting sustainable practices or using eco friendly products, it can create a ripple effect, as people tend to mimic behaviors they perceive as socially desirable.

The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) asserts that people will think about the consequences of their behavior rationally before making behavior decisions. Marketers can use this reasoning to create sustainability campaigns that provide all the facts about a certain topic or situation. It’s about building a logical case that consumers can’t help but see as rational. Informing consumers about environmental threats to all life on earth, not just humans, helps build a broader picture of how every living thing benefits. Appeal to people’s logic and reasoning vs emotion when it comes to sustainability, it’s scientifically proven to work better. 

Here are some specific strategies you can implement in your marketing and business right now: 

Green Business Strategies

Embrace Circular Economy Models

• Implement product take-back programs to recycle and reuse materials
• Design products for disassembly and easy material recovery
• Explore product-service systems that keep products in use longer
• Partner with recyclers and waste management companies

Obtain Environmental Certifications

• Pursue third-party certifications like LEED, Energy Star, FSC, etc.
• Display ecolabels prominently on products and marketing materials
• Highlight certifications in corporate sustainability reports

Invest in Renewable Energy

• Install solar panels or wind turbines at facilities
• Purchase renewable energy credits or carbon offsets
•  Transition vehicle fleets to electric or hybrid models

Incentivize Sustainable Employee Behavior

• Offer commuter benefits for public transit, biking, etc.
• Implement recycling programs and eliminate single-use plastics
• Provide sustainability training and education opportunities

Leverage UserGenerated Content

• Encourage customers to share sustainable lifestyle content
• Repost UGC highlighting your brand’s environmental values
• Run contests for the most creative sustainable content

Partner with EcoInfluencers

• Collaborate with influencers aligned with your green mission
• Let influencers authentically promote your sustainable products/services
• Sponsor influencer events focused on environmental causes

Quantify Environmental Impact

• Calculate and share data on emissions, water, and waste reductions
• Estimate financial savings from sustainable operational changes
• Provide life cycle assessments comparing traditional vs green products

Promote Sustainable Competitive Advantages

• Highlight how sustainability drives innovation and new product development
• Showcase operational efficiencies from green process improvements
• Demonstrate ability to meet growing consumer demand for eco-products

The time to act is now. By making sustainability a core part of their business models and marketing strategies, companies can drive positive change, build trust with consumers, and position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly eco-conscious world. 

Go Global Agency is here to help you every step of the way. Fill out the form below or schedule a discovery call.