This episode features a conversation with Marcos Pelenur, Head of Sustainability and Decarbonization at the Behavioural Insights Team, Americas. It was recorded at the beginning of October 2022.

The Behavioural Insights Team generates and applies behavioural insights to inform policy, improve public services, and deliver results for citizens and society at large. And in his role, Marcos works to develop and implement the Behavioural Insights Team’s sustainability and decarbonization strategy.

Previously, Marcos headed up Strategy, Insights and Regulations at New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, which has the mission of mobilising New Zealanders to be world leaders in clean and clever energy use. Here, Marcos worked across government entities to deliver strong, evidence-based programme design, as well as the implementation of energy efficiency standards and regulations.

Prior to this, Marcos worked across a range of senior policy leadership positions at New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment and also headed the Behavioural Insights Team’s work on energy and sustainability in the UK.

He’s guest lectured on Behavioural Economics at the University of Victoria and taught "Introduction to Behavioural Economics for Policy" for the New Zealand Government Economics Network. He holds a PhD and MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge. And before all of that, Marcos worked as an engineer in smart metering and energy management.

Our conversation, which is packed with actions for us, as communicators, to consider in association with our outreach, covers the many and varied ways that behavioural insights can contribute to more effective communications, particularly when it comes to engaging audiences about climate change.

Additional links:

Behavioural Insights Team website

The Little Book of Green Nudges