Counterproductive Environmental Performance Displays: Lessons from the Automotive Sector

Using classical models of information processing and persuasion, this study examines the efficiency of European Directive 1999/94/EC, pertaining to automotive carbon emission information, as a means to encourage more sustainable consumption patterns. The Directive requires European carmakers to display their vehicles’ carbon emissions prominently in advertisements. An experiment conducted with a representative sample of consumers reveals that this obligation is counterproductive among non-expert consumers. The display of environmental information might have better effects if it were to use a color-coded grading scale to help them. Beyond this recommendation, the authors discuss some implications for public policy makers.