Motivating Climate-Adaptation Actions in Dutch Private Gardens: Developing an Effective Communication Tool

Abstract

In the effort to adapt the urban environment to climate change, motivating residents is key. Various communication guidelines have been proposed in the literature, but few have been tested in practice. This study reports on the development and use of an interactive communication tool based on these guidelines; this tool aimed to motivate climate-adaptation actions in private gardens through increasing self-efficacy. After using the tool, participants showed a significant increase in their willingness to act for climate adaptation. On this basis, some recommendations can be formulated to promote effective communication able to motivate action.