ABSTRACT
The basic idea behind changing bad habits and creating good ones is that any habitual behaviour can be broken down into sets of intended actions that are implemented as part of an overall goal. Breaking habits down into distinct 'implementation intentions' allows not only the constituent parts of a certain behaviour to be identified, but also the barriers that might prevent changing that behaviour. Implementation intentions have been used to successfully influence behaviour relating to driving behaviour, consumer habits, workplace recycling and increasing the amount that people use public transport and buy organic food. In the context of home insulation, some building work scheduled for the house might provide not only the practical opportunity for some low-carbon upgrades, but also the perfect chance for making some long-intended changes to habits and routines. Campaigns and initiatives based on these strategies have a proven track for behaviours as diverse as driving, recycling and increasing purchases of organic food.
