ABSTRACT
Social networks are everywhere, and new behaviours spread through social networks like the ripples of a stone dropped into a pond. Targeting social networks helps to enhance 'social capital' – something that is critical for building the resilience to cope with and adapt to changes brought about by adapting to climate change. Drawing directly on research showing the importance of social norms and social networks for promoting sustainable behaviour, firms that have adopted the tool have shown considerable energy savings. Focusing on sustainable behaviour in the workplace is also a very good way of identifying all the structural barriers to behaviour change, such as the cost of public transport or the lack of safe cycling lanes. But even the best-designed campaign to promote sustainable behaviour is limited in its scope if it fails to link everyday behaviours to the wider challenges of sustainability.
