S02-E13 - "Shaping sustainable communication on Instagram: How digital influencers in Portugal engage consumers in eco-conscious narratives"

The 13th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how digital influencers in Portugal communicate sustainability on Instagram and how these messages are perceived by Generation Z. The research utilizes a dual-method approach, combining a multimodal video analysisof 200 Reels with focus group discussions involving young consumers. Findings indicate a clear divide between influencer tiers: while high-reach "mega" influencers often commodify green values into luxury lifestyles, smaller "nano" and "micro" creators engage in more authentic, politicized storytelling. For Generation Z, trust is not built through high production quality but through aesthetic coherence and perceived sincerity. Ultimately, the authors argue that digital sustainability functions as an affective performance where emotional resonance and stylistic simplicity determine credibility. This work highlights the complex symbolic economy of social media, where ethical living is curated as a marketable identity.https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051251408946 podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.