Promoting the use of sustainable transport alternatives is critical for reducing carbon emissions. In this paper, we propose a cognitive mechanism that explains the extent to which individuals use different sustainable travel modes (e.g., the bus, train, bicycle, and car-sharing). Specifically, we hypothesise negative emotions related to cars as an antecedent of sustainable travel mode use where emotions such as shame, sadness, and upset are positively associated with the extent to which individuals use sustainable transport modes. These negative emotions are further hypothesised to mediate the effect of car attitudes on sustainable travel mode use. Using a broadly representative sample of the UK population (N = 1294), we test these hypotheses and find, firstly, that car attitudes are negatively associated with the use of all sustainable travel modes. Secondly, we demonstrate that negative emotions related to cars mediate this effect. In other words, negative emotions – and not car attitudes – are (positively) associated with the extent to which individuals use all sustainable travel modes. The more individuals perceive the car as something ‘good’, the less they experience emotions such as shame, sadness, and upset when thinking about cars; and it is these negative emotions that then drive sustainable travel mode use. Our study reveals that emotions can and should also be understood as antecedents of sustainable travel modes. We then discuss implications for practitioners and further research.

中文翻译：

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情绪是可持续旅行行为的前因


促进使用可持续的交通替代方案对于减少碳排放至关重要。在本文中，我们提出了一种认知机制，该机制解释了个人使用不同可持续出行方式（例如公共汽车、火车、自行车和汽车共享）的程度。具体来说，我们假设与汽车相关的负面情绪是可持续出行模式使用的先例，其中羞愧、悲伤和不安等情绪与个人使用可持续交通方式的程度呈正相关。这些负面情绪被进一步假设为中介汽车态度对可持续出行模式使用的影响。使用具有广泛代表性的英国人口样本 （N = 1294），我们检验了这些假设，并发现，首先，汽车态度与使用所有可持续出行方式呈负相关。其次，我们证明了与汽车相关的负面情绪介导了这种影响。换句话说，负面情绪——而不是汽车态度——与个人使用所有可持续出行方式的程度（正相关）相关。越多的人认为汽车是“好东西”，他们在想到汽车时就越不会感到羞耻、悲伤和不安等情绪;正是这些负面情绪推动了可持续出行模式的使用。我们的研究表明，情绪可以而且也应该被理解为可持续出行模式的前因。然后，我们讨论了对从业者和进一步研究的影响。