International research led by CATIE analyzes support for sustainable lifestyles

• Pablo Evia, researcher from the Unit of Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agribusiness (UEAAS/EfD) at the Center, presented the progress of the research project "Attitudes towards adaptive lifestyle changes."

Researchers from CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) participated in the First Congress of the Latin American Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (LAERE), held from March 19 to 21 in Bogotá, Colombia. The congress provided a space to promote the exchange of ideas and increase visibility in this field of study.

The event was organized by the Department of Economics at the Universidad de los Andes and supported by the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management (JEEM). It was also sponsored by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

During the three days of the congress, sessions and workshops were held addressing key topics related to environmental economics and the sustainable management of natural resources. Topics included climate change and its impact on agriculture, payments for ecosystem services, implementation of carbon taxes, and public policies on climate, water, and energy, among others. The event featured discussions on innovative approaches to address environmental challenges in Latin America.

As part of the congress, the collaborative program SCOPE (Sustainable Consumption and Production), coordinated by CATIE as the host institution of the EfD initiative for Central America and Mexico (EfD-CAM), organized a two-day workshop addressing key issues related to sustainable consumption and production.

CATIE’s academic contribution

Representing CATIE, Pablo Evia, researcher from the Unit of Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agribusiness (UEAAS/EfD), presented the progress of the research project “Attitudes towards adaptive lifestyle changes.” This study, developed in collaboration with Róger Madrigal, coordinator of the UEAAS/EfD, and researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Wageningen University, EfD Vietnam, and EfD India, seeks to understand the level of public support for transformative changes in individual consumption, particularly when such changes involve personal costs. It also explores how this support varies by socioeconomic group, gender, and geographic region.

The study is based on the premise that climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution stem from unsustainable production and consumption patterns. In this context, Sustainable Development Goal 12 aims to transform these patterns to ensure long-term sustainability. However, to achieve this, it is essential to consider individual and social costs when designing public policies, as both individuals and governments must collaborate in this paradigm shift.

During his presentation, Evia highlighted: “Scientific evidence is lacking, especially from the Global South, regarding public acceptance of significant changes in consumption patterns—for example, reducing household food waste, adopting sustainable lifestyles in travel and fashion—when the costs of transition are increasingly relevant.”

Against this backdrop, the information generated by this research is key to evaluating the feasibility of policies, understanding public opinion, and promoting transformative changes toward a sustainable future.

New collaborations and future perspectives

CATIE’s participation in the First LAERE Congress not only reaffirmed its commitment to research in environmental economics, but also opened new opportunities to strengthen international collaborations in key areas such as public policy design and sustainable consumption strategies.

Events like this reinforce CATIE’s and EfD-CAM role as key players in the generation of knowledge and the promotion of science-based solutions to address environmental challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.

More information about the SCOPE workshop can be found at: https://www.catie.ac.cr/2025/04/09/investigacion-internacional-impulsa-practicas-sostenibles-en-el-sur-global/