Environmental Perspectives on Entomophagy: Can Behavioural Interventions Influence Consumer Preference for Edible Insects?

Abstract

Compared with meats, edible insects taste just as good, are equally or even more nutritious, and have a significantly smaller environmental footprint. However, the adoption of entomophagy is still limited, particularly in Western countries. Considering the environmental benefits of entomophagy and its potential contribution to food security, it is important to understand factors that can influence the willingness to try edible insects as meat substitutes, and policy tools that can encourage the adoption of entomophagy. This research conducts online randomised controlled trials in New York, USA to test the effect of a wide range of personal traits (e.g., existing knowledge about entomophagy, gender and age) and a behavioural intervention combining social norm nudges and information boosts. Our findings suggest that behavioural interventions are cost-effective tools to promote the adoption of entomophagy; consumers can be nudged and educated on the basis of the environmental consequences of their individual food choices and are receptive to adopting entomophagy as a sustainable alternative to animal protein.

Keywords: Heuristics, behavioural biases, sustainability, conservation, food choices

JEL Classification: D91, Q50, Q58