Jakarta, 9 November 2023: Breaking the Plastic Habit in Asia: A Public Dialogue on the Application of Behavioural Insights , organised by ERIA's Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (the Centre) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), explored the potential of utilising innovative approaches developed in the fields of social science and behavioural economics to address plastic pollution. Experts demonstrated how understanding human behaviour can drive substantial reductions in plastic consumption.
The dialogue showcased the IGES-led and Centre-supported pilot project on the Application of Behavioural Insights Approaches for Plastic Reduction, featuring case studies from the four pilot project nations – Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Viet Nam – where behavioural interventions led to compelling results in reducing plastic consumption. These success stories shed light on the practical application and effectiveness of behavioural insights in encouraging sustainable practices.
The dialogue focused on sharing the benefits, challenges, and cautions of implementing plastic reduction methods using behavioural insights across settings including cities, communities, schools, and businesses. Participants discussed the roles of local governments, schools, businesses, and researchers, and emphasised the importance of fully engaging a wide spectrum of stakeholders. It also shared insights gained in the four countries and best practices drawn from the project.
The event featured esteemed speakers, including representatives from Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and experts from IGES, ERIA, and academic institutions. Participants explored notable changes in behaviour achieved through the project's design and implementation in interactive panel discussions. The event also delved into the roles project participants could play and strategies that could be used for effectively utilising achievements and lessons.
Approximately 120 online and on-site participants considered the application of behavioural insight approaches in their work, including from the private sector, civil society representatives, and university students. The discussions not only broadened awareness but also nudged participants to contemplate innovative strategies for reducing single-use plastic consumption in their respective domains.
Mr Reo Kawamura, Centre Director, thanked colleagues from Indonesia's Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, the University of the Philippines Diliman; Thailand's Chulalongkorn University; and Viet Nam's Southern Institute of Ecology, for their hard work on the ground. While acknowledging the pilot project is still in its early stages and conducted within a limited environment and sample size, he expressed hope it could be scaled up to cover a larger area, potentially at the city level.
Ms Jo Kumala Dewi, Director of Environmental Partnership, Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said in her keynote speech that encouraging sustainable consumption and responsible consumer behaviour is one way to achieve environmental and social balance. As a token of appreciation for citizens who voluntarily carried out impactful nature-friendly activities, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has in the past handed out appreciation awards.
Dr Atsushi Watabe, IGES Programme Director, Sustainable Consumption and Production Area, said it is still uncommon to see a social science survey study on people’s behaviour to improve plastic waste management in the Southeast region, and this pilot project targeting four ASEAN countries is a novelty. Given the region's unique socio-cultural context, there is so much to unpack, and IGES is happy to develop the toolkits with partner support to inspire local governments, businesses, and educators to take action.
Enhancing public awareness, education, and outreach is an important component of the Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021-2015). Action No 11 specifically lays out the importance of behavioural change as a way to tackle marine plastic waste.
Communication Officer
Jakarta, 9 November 2023: Breaking the Plastic Habit in Asia: A Public Dialogue on the Application of Behavioural Insights , organised by ERIA's Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (the Centre) and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), explored the potential of utilising innovative approaches developed in the fields of social science and behavioural economics to address plastic pollution. Experts demonstrated how understanding human behaviour can drive substantial reductions in plastic consumption.
The dialogue showcased the IGES-led and Centre-supported pilot project on the Application of Behavioural Insights Approaches for Plastic Reduction, featuring case studies from the four pilot project nations – Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Viet Nam – where behavioural interventions led to compelling results in reducing plastic consumption. These success stories shed light on the practical application and effectiveness of behavioural insights in encouraging sustainable practices.
The dialogue focused on sharing the benefits, challenges, and cautions of implementing plastic reduction methods using behavioural insights across settings including cities, communities, schools, and businesses. Participants discussed the roles of local governments, schools, businesses, and researchers, and emphasised the importance of fully engaging a wide spectrum of stakeholders. It also shared insights gained in the four countries and best practices drawn from the project.
The event featured esteemed speakers, including representatives from Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and experts from IGES, ERIA, and academic institutions. Participants explored notable changes in behaviour achieved through the project's design and implementation in interactive panel discussions. The event also delved into the roles project participants could play and strategies that could be used for effectively utilising achievements and lessons.
Approximately 120 online and on-site participants considered the application of behavioural insight approaches in their work, including from the private sector, civil society representatives, and university students. The discussions not only broadened awareness but also nudged participants to contemplate innovative strategies for reducing single-use plastic consumption in their respective domains.
Mr Reo Kawamura, Centre Director, thanked colleagues from Indonesia's Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, the University of the Philippines Diliman; Thailand's Chulalongkorn University; and Viet Nam's Southern Institute of Ecology, for their hard work on the ground. While acknowledging the pilot project is still in its early stages and conducted within a limited environment and sample size, he expressed hope it could be scaled up to cover a larger area, potentially at the city level.
Ms Jo Kumala Dewi, Director of Environmental Partnership, Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said in her keynote speech that encouraging sustainable consumption and responsible consumer behaviour is one way to achieve environmental and social balance. As a token of appreciation for citizens who voluntarily carried out impactful nature-friendly activities, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has in the past handed out appreciation awards.
Dr Atsushi Watabe, IGES Programme Director, Sustainable Consumption and Production Area, said it is still uncommon to see a social science survey study on people’s behaviour to improve plastic waste management in the Southeast region, and this pilot project targeting four ASEAN countries is a novelty. Given the region's unique socio-cultural context, there is so much to unpack, and IGES is happy to develop the toolkits with partner support to inspire local governments, businesses, and educators to take action.
Enhancing public awareness, education, and outreach is an important component of the Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021-2015). Action No 11 specifically lays out the importance of behavioural change as a way to tackle marine plastic waste.
Communication Officer
