New data shows the UK public continue to support ‘net zero’ policies, despite the cost-of-living crisis. Polling undertaken by Ipsos and CAST in October 2022 find many climate policies actually enjoying higher levels of support than in August 2021. This…
What did COP27 do for public engagement?
The takes on COP27 are out in full force – from relief that a Loss and Damage Fund was finally established after 30 years of developing country advocacy, to disappointment that the text failed to increase ambition on mitigation –…
UK will fail to reach climate targets unless Government drives behaviour change
A new report has revealed that a third of emission savings by 2035 must come from people changing their behaviours. The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report, In our hands: behaviour change for climate and environmental goals…
How can SMEs be supported to rapidly decarbonise? Try talking to them about what really matters
By Sam Hampton and Richard Blundel Collectively, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make a significant contribution to carbon emissions. Transformative changes are needed to achieve Net Zero amongst the SME population, presenting policymakers and practitioners with a complex and largely…
Climate anxiety an important driver for climate action
The first-ever detailed study of climate anxiety among the UK adult population suggests that whilst rates are currently low, people’s fears about the future of the planet might be an important trigger for action when it comes to adapting our…
New scientific insights on tackling climate change from the IPCC’s sixth assessment report
By Charlie Wilson & Christina Demski In recent years, more and more countries, cities, companies, and citizens have been trying and testing ways to reduce emissions. Accumulating scientific evidence shines a clearer light than ever before on what works. First,…
Positively influencing the travel choices of live music audiences
By Dr Adam Corner After two years of cancellations, postponements and last minute Covid-19 no-shows, a full programme of live music and festivals is now finally underway again in 2022. Rewind to just before the pandemic, and some long overdue…
The IPCC’s message is clear: social transformation, not a technofix, is needed to tackle climate change
By Lorraine Whitmarsh, Stuart Capstick, Hilary Graham, Claire Hoolohan, Briony Latter, Angela Minas, Caroline Verfuerth, Dan Thorman, Charlie Wilson Monday’s IPCC report makes clear that we are not on track to tackle climate change, and that profound societal change will…
Why is public engagement and participation with net zero so important?
CAST’s Deputy Director Christina Demski has been on a part-time secondment to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as Net Zero Public Engagement Advisor since 2020. As part of her role supporting research and policy teams to…
Climate emergency declarations: what do they tell us about universities response to climate change?
Words by Briony Latter This piece was originally published by the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) and is reproduced here with their permission. The past two years have seen a sustained and high level of publicity around climate change in the…