Rather than relying on regulation, our research assesses how low-cost policy interventions (e.g. nudges) can catalyse voluntary action to improve environmental performance. It combines human-centred experimental approaches with field trials and games to identify effective approaches and links to agent-based modelling tools to assess policy approaches.
Illustration: Types of Interventions
Research findings
Do public expectations matter for the adoption of good management practices?
Through a nationwide survey, we found that frontage on a busy road was associated with greater uptake of an on-farm good management practice (GMP) that is easily observed and recognised by the general public, compared with GMPs not visible from the road. Our published study shows how public pressure is likely to be one avenue through which practices change on farms over time.
New tools for agricultural policy
This paper discusses the role that behavioural and experimental economics can play in improving agricultural policymaking. Behavioural economics provides a means through which to better model farmer responses to policy and the potential for new policy tools. Experimental economics provides a means to increase our understanding of farmer behaviour and testing policy tools. We discuss prospects and limitations of these approaches using an example of agri-emissions pricing policy in New Zealand.
Scaling up on-farm interventions to the landscape level
In this talk, we present an abstract agent-based model to explore possibilities for influencing landowners to adopt more environmentally friendly farming practices. This model is being developed in the context of a wider investigation of the potential for policy nudges to influence decision making by farmers in New Zealand. We describe the abstract model structure, focusing on the potential future development into a detailed simulation incorporating rich empirical data about farmer demographics, land use, economic drivers, environmental policy settings, and social network effects.
Research in action
Exploring the effectiveness of interventions to influence choices and promote change
Economics in the laboratory
Experimental economics studies human behaviour in a controlled laboratory setting. Conducted in the Waikato Experimental Economics Lab (WEEL), our experiments analyse decision making in real life scenarios faced by New Zealand’s rural population.
Using field-based economic experiments to compare interventions designed to influence environmental behaviour among farmers and growers
Using randomised control trial methods (like those used in medical trails), we assess the effectiveness of low-cost actions in promoting environmental change. We focus on two specific areas.
- In partnership with Waikato Regional Council, Fonterra, and Open Country, we are testing the influence of different ways to disseminate information.
- In partnership with Environment Southland and Thriving Southland, we are testing different types of nudges.
A realistic, purpose-designed board game about New Zealand’s primary sector allows players to trial different farming strategies
In The Catchment, each player decides how to allocate effort on their farms in pursuit of production and lifestyle. At the same time, they are collectively responsible for the local environment and community. Throughout the game, they face real-life dilemmas (e.g. whether to invest in selective breeding or precision agriculture), and the decisions they make early in the game have consequences in later rounds. The Catchment encourages deep thinking and generates a lot of discussion around the table while players have fun playing.
A next-generation catchment model that incorporates human behaviour, policy environments, and current and potential land use
Using an agent-based model, we will explore how the combined impacts of market conditions, policy settings, policy nudges, and farmers' industry and local social networks might combine to change collective outcomes at catchment scales. In the model, farmer agents adjust their on-farm management practices in response to changing circumstances. A high-level description of the model’s operation can be found here.
Team members
- Pike Stahlmann-Brown, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research
- Steven Tucker, University of Waikato
- Zack Dorner, Lincoln University
- Nathan Berg, University of Otago
- Louisa Choe, University of Otago
- Adam Daigneault, University of Maine
- Upananda Paragahawewa, Waikato Regional Council
- David O’Sullivan, Independent researcher
- Oshadhi Samarasinghe, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research
- Tsegaye Gatiso, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research
