Facilitating individuals’ transitions towards a 1.5-degree lifestyle at a global scale with SUSLA: completed research paper

Abstract

To keep global warming within the 1.5 degrees suggested in the Paris Agreement, most individuals around the globe need to drastically reduce their carbon emissions and material footprints by adopting a so-called 1.5-degree lifestyle. However, transitioning to this lifestyle can pose a challenge for many and support is needed to facilitate the change. For solving this problem, we introduce a Green IS prototype called SUSLA. SUSLA aims at global reach, informed by design research methodology and sensemaking theory. We introduce SUSLA design, based on data and lessons learned from several test rounds with an increasing number of users around the globe. Our results suggest that when designing a Green sensemaking IS for individuals undergoing a sustainable lifestyle transition at a global scale, acknowledging the local context for each country is needed. In addition, facilitating the temporal setting and organization of goals, can increase individuals’ motivation and commitment to the change.