This study proposes an environmental identity economics theory that can improve our understanding of pro-environmental behaviour. We test the potential of the theory by analysing farmers’ decisions to invest in renewable energy production using a hybrid choice model. Our findings illustrate that farmers with a strong environmental identity require less financial incentive to invest. Furthermore, lower compensation is found to be sufficient to induce farmers with a strong environmental identity to commit to more binding investment contracts. Our findings stress the need for differentiated designs of agri-environmental programmes and mechanisms that enhance farmers’ environmental identity.

中文翻译：

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环境认同经济学：对农民环保投资行为的应用

本研究提出了一种环境认同经济学理论，可以提高我们对环保行为的理解。我们通过使用混合选择模型分析农民投资可再生能源生产的决定来测试该理论的潜力。我们的研究结果表明，具有强烈环境认同感的农民需要较少的经济激励来进行投资。此外，发现较低的补偿足以促使具有强烈环境认同感的农民承诺签订更具约束力的投资合同。我们的研究结果强调需要对农业环境计划和机制进行差异化设计，以增强农民的环境认同。