While last week’s article discussed the role that brown sludge has in disincentivizing green behavior, this article expands on the idea of brown sludge and looks at brown infrastructure. Brown infrastructure helps to further understand the barriers that impede the adoption of green behavior, taking a systemic approach instead of an individual incentive approach. This article attempts to connect the dots between brown sludge and infrastructure and argues that effective climate policy requires both the use of behavioral science insights along with traditional policy mechanisms.

What is Brown Sludge?

As discussed in this article, brown sludge refers to frictions and uncertainties that hinder pro-environmental action at the individual or society level. An example of brown sludge is confusing eco-information. When eco-labeling is confusing or complex, consumers are less likely to take them into account when making purchasing decisions. While sludge is a friction that disincentivizes behavior, brown infrastructure takes a broader systemic approach.

Brown Infrastructure: Beyond Informational Hurdles

Brown infrastructure extends beyond the realm of choice architecture and informational barriers. It encompasses the systemic and structural impediments that effectively exclude green options from individuals’ choice sets. While brown sludge may create friction around available choices, brown infrastructure dictates the very existence and accessibility of these choices.

The Interplay of Brown Sludge and Brown Infrastructure

In real world decision making, brown sludge and infrastructure can have a complex interplay. The informational costs associated with sludge-like climate misinformation can combine with a lack of eco-friendly infrastructure to create large impediments to the adoption of green behavior.

Examples and Real-world Implications

Consider e-waste recycling in the UK as an example of brown infrastructure. The lack of public provision for e-waste, coupled with the absence of recycling processes tailored to electronic devices, creates a structural barrier. Another example is the lack of clarity of how to recycle in Belize. While in theory we have places to take our recyclable material and it is sometimes picked up on trash days, the procedure is not immediately clear. Nor is it clear what is and isn’t recyclable. These confusing procedures, coupled with the lack of readily available collectors make it easy for people to avoid recycling altogether. Indeed, while a 2011 study found that 48% of waste in Belize was recyclable,  solid waste data from 2013 – 2023 indicated that less than 2% of solid waste at transfer stations was recovered for recycling. Individuals may face not only informational challenges but also infrastructural inadequacies that impede their ability to make environmentally conscious choices.

Legacy Decisions and Carbon Lock-In

Legacy decisions contribute to both brown sludge and brown infrastructure. Choices made in the past, such as prioritizing cars over quality public transport and bicycle lanes, may lead to entrenched infrastructural challenges that persist over time. This notion aligns with the concept of ‘carbon lock-in,’ where existing institutions, regulations, and lifestyles limit the space for households to transition to greener alternatives.

Implications for Environmental and Behavioral Policy

Tackling brown infrastructure requires a different set of policy tools compared to addressing brown sludge. While behavioral science interventions play a role in simplifying processes and reducing informational barriers (brown sludge), addressing brown infrastructure involves assessing and expanding individuals’ choice sets. This may involve revisiting legacy decisions, reevaluating policy mindsets, and actively shaping the physical and societal environments to support green behaviors.

Conclusion: A Holistic Approach

In navigating the complexities of environmental policy, it’s essential to adopt a holistic approach that considers both brown sludge and brown infrastructure. By understanding how these factors interact and influence human behavior, policymakers can develop more effective strategies to promote sustainable choices and address the multifaceted challenges of environmental decision-making.