@misc{9247491,
  abstract     = {{Food consumption is one of the largest contributors to household environmental impacts and plays a central role in climate change, resource use, and biodiversity loss. Although many consumers express positive attitudes toward sustainable consumption, previous research shows that purchasing decisions are often driven by price, habits, and convenience rather than environmental concerns. This study therefore examines whether a digital environmental points-based incentive system (MPIS) could encourage more sustainable food choices in Swedish grocery stores.
This study develops and analyzes an MPIS designed for the Swedish food retail sector. The system combines environmental aspects, behavioral economic principles, and economic incentives to influence consumer behavior. It is based on a review of existing digital sustainability tools, a literature review, and a web-based survey experiment in which respondents completed simulated grocery shopping scenarios both with and without the environmental points system.
The study shows that simplified and practically applicable environmental indicators, such as organic certification, vegetarian alternatives, Swedish origin, and environmental labels, can be integrated into a functional environmental points system. The results indicate that the MPIS contributed to an increase in environmentally friendly product choices and ecological purchases. Consumer spending increased moderately, suggesting that consumers may be willing to pay somewhat more for environmentally preferable products when incentives are provided. Respondents also expressed generally positive attitudes toward implementing such a system, even if it would lead to reduced membership bonuses.
The findings suggest that an MPIS can function as a potential policy instrument for promoting more sustainable food consumption in Swedish grocery stores. The discussion further highlights that practical applicability depends on access to standardized environmental information, transparent point allocation, and perceived fairness between products and consumers.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Mathias}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Miljöpoäng som styrmedel i livsmedelsbutiker: En studie om konsumentbeteende, betalningsvilja och hållbar konsumtion}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}