Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Behaviours Among Individuals and Households: Insights from the Sri Lankan Experience

Abstract

Climate change presents significant challenges, making it essential to understand mitigation behaviors at both individual and household levels. This study explores behavioral attitudes toward climate change among households and individuals in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted by the principal investigator in diverse settings, including high-income and low-income urban communities and rural areas, with eight purposively selected participants in each group. Semi-structured FGDs were used, and discussions were audio-recorded with participants' consent. The majority (58.3%) were men, and 41.7% were under 40 years of age. One-third had an educational level of a degree or higher, while 16.7% were unemployed. Thematic analysis identified seven key themes: perceptions of climate change and weather patterns, perceived causes of climate change, vulnerability and risk perceptions, individual attitudes toward climate mitigation, resistance to climate mitigation policies, skepticism toward individual efforts, and calls for collective action and education. While some individuals actively engage in climate-friendly behaviors, others feel their efforts are negligible compared to large-scale industrial pollution and government shortcomings. Despite skepticism and resistance, participants recognized the importance of education and collective action in addressing climate change. The study recommends implementing targeted awareness campaigns to bridge knowledge gaps, promoting community-led initiatives to enhance local engagement, and developing policy interventions that incentivize sustainable behaviors. Encouraging collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, and local communities can foster long-term commitment to climate mitigation efforts.