Abstract
The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends not only on government policies and institutional frameworks but also on everyday decisions made by individuals. While awareness about sustainability has increased significantly in recent years, actual behavioural change remains inconsistent. Many individuals express concern about environmental issues but fail to translate that concern into consistent sustainable practices. This study explores whether behavioural nudging can help bridge this gap between awareness and action.
An open public survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire and received 100 valid responses from individuals across different backgrounds. Although the survey was open to everyone, students formed the majority of respondents and were therefore treated as the core analytical group. The findings reveal that while 95% of respondents are aware of SDGs, only 65% consistently engage in sustainable behaviours. Awareness of nudging was reported by 80% of respondents. A significant majority (75%) believe nudges are effective, and 78% consider them ethically acceptable.
The results indicate that convenience and social influence play a major role in increasing sustainable behaviour. The study concludes that nudging offers a practical, low-cost, and ethically sound approach to promoting sustainability at the individual level. These findings contribute to behavioural sustainability research and offer insights for policymakers, institutions, and organizations seeking effective strategies to accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, Behavioural Nudging, Sustainable Behaviour, Awareness-Action Gap, Ethical Choice Architecture, Environmental Behaviour.
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https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978 (91)90020-T
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