Rising to the challenge of environmental behaviour change: Developing a reflexive diary approach

► We explored the efficacy of a household diary in encouraging environmental behaviour change. ► The diary successfully captured data on household pro-environmental behaviour and encouraged reflexivity in participants. ► Diary keeping increased awareness of, and changes in, household pro-environmental behaviours. ► Behavioural changes were of double-loop order, and high frequency low (environmental) magnitude (HFLM) in nature. The relationship between expressed attitudes and actual behaviour in the context of sustainable development is complex and difficult to apply in a policy-relevant manner. The household, however, represents a key ‘lens’ for understanding the environmental impact of consumption patterns and for instigating policy designed to change consumer behaviour. This paper assesses the use of a household diary approach as a means of framing and collecting household environmental data, and, critically, as an educational vehicle for bringing about behavioural change by encouraging reflexivity. Evaluating the success of the diary approach at instigating behavioural change, the paper concludes that the diary approach: (1) created awareness about pro-environmental behaviour where there was none; (2) extended existing awareness to a wider range of pro-environmental behaviours and range of household members, and; (3) induced change in pro-environmental behaviour. In particular, the paper argues that current research neglects the potential that participating in the research process may contribute to changing the outlook or behaviour of participants.