cast.ac.uk

Our Vision

The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) is a global hub for understanding the systemic and society-wide transformations that are required to address climate change. At the core of our work is a fundamental question of enormous social significance: how can we as a society live differently - and better - in ways that meet the urgent need for rapid and far-reaching emission reductions?

People at the heart of transformations

We want to understand how people can participate in transformation in their multiple roles as citizens, consumers, parents, employees, business leaders, policy-makers. This means recognising that people can act both directly to reduce emissions – like driving less – but equally have the ability to shape wider structural change – like changing organisational practices and shaping policies.

A focus on values and co-benefits

We set out to align the positive outcomes of action on climate change with those in other domains like health and wellbeing. CAST seeks to identify low-carbon futures and actions that also provide other co-benefits - like cleaner air, lower bills, more resilient or fairer communities.

"We want to work closely with people and organisations to achieve positive low-carbon futures — transforming the way we live our lives, and reconfiguring organisations and cities."

Prof. Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, CAST Director

Explore our four areas of focus

Find out why we are focusing on four key areas: Diet, Mobility, Material Consumption and Thermal Comfort.

Our resources include policy briefings, working papers, academic articles, reports and other resources exploring the science of climate action.

We believe effective change requires working with people to understand their values and needs.

CAST report shows repair and reuse initiatives are effective at preventing waste and providing community benefits in Wales

Our latest CAST report on a pilot project on repair and reuse initiatives, as part of a collaboration with Keep Wales Tidy, shows they are an effective way of preventing waste and providing community benefits to urban and rural communities in Wales. In our latest CAST report: ‘Circular Economy in…

CAST research shows Cornwall Council staff are highly concerned about climate change, but knowledge gaps prevent them from taking action

Our latest CAST briefing on motivating a low-carbon workforce shows Cornwall Council staff are very concerned about climate change but knowledge gaps prevent them from taking action. As part of our research commissioned by the Cornwall Council (CC), we published a briefing resource: ‘Motivating a low-carbon workforce – Insights from…

CAST responds to the Prime Minister’s new approach to Net Zero: How will this impact the UK meeting its climate targets?

Words by Dr Dan Thorman, Professor Wouter Poortinga and Dr Katharine Steentjes CAST researchers respond to the Prime Minister’s ‘new approach’ to Net Zero and discuss how this announcement will impact the UK meeting its climate targets. The Government’s U-turn on climate policy is completely at odds with the direction…

CAST survey reveals that Cornwall residents are more concerned about climate change than the rest of the UK and strongly back climate action

© Photography by Beryl Bikes A new CAST survey report, produced in collaboration with Cornwall Council as part of a year-long project, has revealed that Cornwall residents are more concerned about climate change than the rest of the UK and strongly back climate action. In our new survey report: ‘Cornwall…

CAST research reveals younger people experience more fear, guilt and outrage over the impact of climate change

A new research paper by CAST Associate Director Professor Wouter Poortinga and co-authors Dr Christina Demski and Dr Katharine Steentjes: ‘Generational differences in climate-related beliefs, risk perceptions and emotions in the UK’ examining differences in attitudes towards climate change, reveals younger people experience more fear, guilt and outrage over the…

CAST supports the Climate Change Committee’s call for increased pace of change

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has delivered another blunt assessment of the UK government’s climate track record, and it’s a very mixed picture. The CCC’s latest Progress Report states that “a coherent public engagement strategy on climate action is long overdue” and that its confidence in the UK meeting its…

‘The Big One’: CAST Deputy Director Stuart Capstick On His Experience at London Climate and Nature Protests

© Photography by Crispin Hughes Words by Dr Stuart Capstick CAST Deputy Director and Theme 3 lead Dr Stuart Capstick discusses his experience at ‘The Big One’ climate and nature protests as part of Scientists for XR which took place in central London from 21-24 April 2023 where people from…

CAST Contributes to Essential Ecolibrium Green Travel Guide for Festivals and Events 2023

CAST PhD Researcher Briony Latter and CAST Affiliate Dr Adam Corner informed an essential travel guide ‘Green Travel Guide for Festivals and Events 2023’ by live event industry charity ecolibrium via a CAST Impact Fund project exploring how to communicate effectively with live music audiences on their travel choices. The live…

CAST Director Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE Joins Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group

Our CAST Director Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE has joined the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group, which officially launched its first challenge last month: How could Wales feed itself by 2035? Lorraine shares why the Group’s work with the Welsh government and Plaid Cymru is crucial in helping the UK…