Perceptions of complexity in sustainability: Scale construction and validation

Climate change is often deemed a “wicked problem” due to complex interactions between many variables and the resulting uncertainty for decision-making. While understanding complexity is useful for addressing climate change, complexity can also present a barrier to action. But how can individual perceptions of complexity in sustainability be operationalized, and how are these perceptions related to support for climate policy and sustainable behavioral intentions? Drawing on a theoretical framework of complex decision-making, we constructed and validated a scale to measure the perceived complexity of sustainability (PCS) across three studies in the UK (total N = 1,176). Exploratory (Studies 1 and 2) and confirmatory (Study 3) factor analyses supported a three-factor scale structure, comprising effectiveness uncertainty, trade-offs between different environmental actions, and conflicts between sustainability and other goals. We found the 12-item PCS scale to be a reliable and valid measure that correlates positively with climate change skepticism and negatively with support for climate policy and sustainable behavioral intentions. Understanding the perceived complexity of sustainability can help in developing guidelines for scientists and governments to communicate about climate change responses to the public. • We constructed a 12-item scale measuring perceived complexity in sustainability. • The scale covers three dimensions: effectiveness uncertainty, negative side effects, and goal conflict. • Higher perceived complexity is positively correlated with climate change skepticism. • Higher perceived complexity is negatively correlated with support for climate policy and sustainable behavioral intentions.