Working with businesses: Insights for successful sustainability strategies
At CAST, we recognise that people must be at the heart of climate solutions. Our research provides businesses with the insights they need to design and deliver effective, inclusive, and widely supported climate strategies.
Why social science matters for businesses climate action
Corporate sustainability efforts require more than accurate data and new technology – their success or failure also depends on people.
Social science helps explain:
- Public expectations of companies, industries and brands
- How to design products and services that meet consumers’ sustainability needs
- What motivates or hinders low-carbon behaviours in workplaces and supply chains
- How to transition to a more sustainable business model in a fair and inclusive way
- How to communicate business climate risk, opportunity and action without greenwashing or disengaging audiences
How we work with businesses
We don’t just research the social science of climate change. We also work directly with companies and businesses to translate our insights into real-world impact.
We can offer:
- Timely data and insights to guide sustainability strategies
- Collaborative research projects tailored to sector-specific challenges
- Advisory support from experts in organisational change and climate engagement
- Tailored briefings for leadership teams and sustainability managers
- Training and workshops to embed social science understanding into corporate decision-making
- Speakers for conferences, webinars and events Timely data and insights to inform evidence-based policymaking
Our work also includes building partnerships across sectors, connecting businesses with researchers, policymakers, and civil society organisations to spark new collaborations and unlock opportunities for climate leadership.
Highlights
- Helping Anglian Water understand its customers’ water use and informing its Water Resources Management Plan
- Encouraging more sustainable travel choices among live music audiences
- Helping sporting bodies understand what sports fans think about climate change and what climate action they expect from the sector
Relevant resources
- CAST Briefing 40 – Denial and delay in UK advertising: The role of the trade bodies in climate inaction
- CAST Briefing 39 – “I would be laughed out the stadium”: How to break climate silence in British football
- CAST Briefing 35 – Clamping down on fossil fuel advertising: What industry professionals want policymakers to know (and do)
- CAST Briefing 34 – Leading by example with low-carbon behaviours: how politicians, celebrities and business leaders can stimulate behaviour change and increase trust
- CAST Briefing 29 – Five principles for good public engagement: How to get people involved in the climate conversation
- CAST Briefing 23 – How can you change sustainability behaviours in your workplace?
- CAST Briefing 25 – Reducing domestic water use: learning from everyday routines: A briefing for policy makers and innovators
- CAST Briefing 18 – Motivating low-carbon behaviours in the workforce: Insights from Cornwall Council
- Report – From carbon footprints to cultural influence: Engaging live music audiences on travel choices
- Research paper – Responding to the climate emergency: how are UK universities establishing sustainable workplace routines for flying and food?
For more resources, check out our blog, briefings, reports and academic articles.
We welcome collaboration from policymakers at all levels. Get in touch with us at info@cast.ac.uk or via our Contact Form to discuss how we can support your policy goals.