Mobility
Travel choices such as private cars, public transport, cycling, and shared journeys.
Research
What does carbon-footprint feedback actually change?
A 2024 Journal of Cleaner Production study tested whether repeated feedback from a carbon-footprint tracking app could help people adjust consumption habits.
The study at a glance
Repeated feedback, tested over time.
216
participants
4
consumption domains
Several
survey rounds
Reported results
A meaningful signal, with important boundaries.
The researchers reported a 23% average decrease in carbon emissions. Effects varied by consumption area, from 12% in mobility to 35% in household activities.
Overall
Average across the study
23%
Mobility
Lowest reported domain result
12%
Household
Highest reported domain result
35%
Scale shown to 40% for visual comparison. Values are reported by Hoffmann, Lasarov, Reimers, and Trabandt (2024), not measured outcomes from Green Compass users.
| Result | Decrease | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 23% | Average across the study |
| Mobility | 12% | Lowest reported domain result |
| Household | 35% | Highest reported domain result |
Four domains
Where daily consumption takes shape.
Food
Diet, sourcing, and food-waste decisions that can add up over time.
Heating
Home energy use, insulation, temperature settings, and heating systems.
Household
Electricity, devices, purchases, and other everyday consumption patterns.
Read this carefully
What the numbers do—and do not—mean.
The study tested a purpose-built research app with 216 participants. Its results should not be treated as a universal forecast for every app, person, or timeframe.
Effects differed by domain and individual characteristics. The paper reports that perceived green self-efficacy strengthened the effect, while a strong green self-identity reduced it.
For Green Compass, the responsible takeaway is that repeated, useful feedback is worth exploring—not that a specific reduction can be guaranteed.
Read the full publicationDiscuss the evidence
Questions, challenges, and useful criticism are welcome.
If you work in sustainability, research, or behavior change, we would value your perspective.
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