CAST Impact fund

In 2021, CAST launched a competitive open Impact Fund which makes small pots of money available for practitioners, communities, or organisations who want to work closely with CAST researchers to co-develop and deliver low-carbon transformative initiatives. The fund was/is generously supported by UEA, drawing on its allocation of Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF).

The CAST Impact Fund is now closed and all the money has been allocated; it will not reopen.

Explore the real-world impacts of the CAST Impact Fund and how these 15 funded projects have made a difference below. For further information, explore the case studies.

Explore the case studies

15 projects have been funded, and they are:

What real-world impact did the fund have?

The CAST Impact Fund supported projects that translate academic research and expertise into real-world behaviour and/or attitudinal change. These projects were carried out in partnership with communities, NGOs, public sector bodies and other practitioners. Amongst other things, the Fund helps CAST Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to ‘learn in the world’. Funding was generously provided by UEA, drawing on its allocation of Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF).

Last update: April 2024

Overview

Since its establishment in 2020, the CAST Impact Fund has distributed approximately £257,500 to 15 projects.

The projects have engaged with diverse audiences, for example: 

▪ Engaging public sector employees in partnership with Cornwall Council
▪ Targeting high water-use households, working with Northumbrian Water
▪ Working with community group Our Streets Chorlton to help communicate with residents on sustainable transport. 

In addition to the impacts set out below, all of the projects have also contributed to the wider evidence base through non-academic outputs, including CAST briefings. 

At least four projects have been awarded follow-on funding so far, showing the value of these relatively small projects in kickstarting wider and longer-term collaborative projects between academics and practitioners. 

Types of impact

The key impacts of this project can be grouped under six overarching headings:

  1. Capacity building
  2. Engagement
  3. Instrumental impact (policy influence)
  4. Equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI)
  5. Early Career Researcher contributions
  6. Academic outputs

Impact 1: Capacity building

Helping partners make lasting change to their practice 

Some CAST Impact Fund projects focused on co-designing new tools, strategies or approaches to help partners better understand and engage their stakeholders in future. For example:

This project developed and implemented a new co-benefits toolkit to help GMCA understand the impact of its plans and align them better with strategic goals. This includes how proposed policies, services, or initiatives do or don’t contribute to climate mitigation and the generation of wider benefits for the city and its residents. It was rolled out across the whole of GMCA’s decision-making processes, influencing the choices that affect 2.6 million residents. All decision papers that go before the GMCA executive team for sign-off now include the summary results from the toolkit. 

The toolkit is now under trial by two other local authorities, alongside a specific version for Wales. Webinars and training materials were included to help a range of local authorities adopt the toolkit.

This project applied the Change Points toolkit, which helps users work out where and how to most effectively intervene to improve the sustainability of consumption. Using the Change Points tool helped Northumbrian Water to understand why some of its customers use very high amounts of water, and how it could best encourage and help them to use less. Following this project, two new co-funded PhD projects will come up with new ways to rapidly and substantially reduce water and energy demand in high-use households.

“Northumbrian Water Group see these PhDs as a way of growing the future academic focus on water and demand management” – Tim Wagstaff, Water Efficiency Manager, Northumbrian Water Limited

This project informed thinking about how customers of Anglian Water use and conserve water and how they might respond to some of the options available for the future management of water. The valuable insights into household water use and future management options have influenced Anglian Water’s Water Resources Management Plan and directly fed into internal discussions. CAST is directly referenced in the Anglian Water PR24 Business Plan (p.46) and this document is more widely available to others on the Ofwat website.

  • Supercharging young climate leaders through Power of 10 with Another Way – led by Dr Katharine Lee, University of Bath

Ten workshops were held for 400 students to help young people build empowering narratives and learn about impactful climate actions. This has since expanded nationwide to over 1,700 young people, with a 76% increase in reported agency. Additionally, a toolkit and CPD training were developed to equip educators and youth with permanent resources for climate education.

  • Evaluating the impact of the ‘Greener & Cleaner’ hub in motivating low carbon behaviors – led by Mark Wilson, University of Bath

This project provided a comprehensive evidence base and evaluation report that transformed the hub’s approach to tailoring services.

  • Leveraging secondary data analysis informing the development of indicators to measure policy progress on climate goals in collaboration with the Welsh Government – led by Dr Caroline Verfuerth, Cardiff University

The project built lasting technical capacity within the Welsh Government by providing a new methodology for measuring the success of behavioral interventions. This strengthened the link between academic research and government practice, embedding social science insights into long-term policy delivery.

  • Impacting political leaders and networks in the aftermath of the 2024 UK General Election with Green Alliance – led by Dr Lucas Geese & Dr John Kenny, University of East Anglia

This project delivered a rapid-response public opinion survey co-produced with Green Alliance. It established shared workflows for rapid questionnaire development and analysis-to-briefing pipelines, creating reputational and operational trust that enables quicker mobilization for future opportunities.

Impact 2: Engagement

Bringing new audiences into the climate change conversation

A number of CAST Impact Fund projects aimed to help partners or practitioners better communicate about climate change with the public, particularly around new issues or in new ways. For example: 

This project translated psychological and social science research into a guide to help live music organisers encourage sustainable travel to events. The guide was developed in collaboration with a range of event organisers, and an attendee survey conducted by Shambala. High-level stakeholders from the music industry (representing key groups of venues, large-scale festivals and industry sustainability bodies) took part in roundtables to scope the guide and compile existing best practices. Teams organising two festivals – Boomtown and Love Saves the Day – have already said they will use the guide in future.

The ideas and recommendations produced as part of this CAST Impact Fund work were trialled and tested in a follow-up project supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation:

“Before engaging with [the follow-on] project, our sustainability content was lacking reach and engagement with our audience and didn’t feel relatable […] With the tactics we implemented we managed to bring our reach and engagement with our green transport comms to be as engaging as our creative comms which has always been a struggle for us.” – Prudance Akinin, Head of Communications, Boomtown

  • Encouraging sustainable diets: partnership with Hubbub – led by David Powell, Theme 4 Lead, Climate Outreach

This project explored whether different narratives around food, delivered by trusted messengers, could encourage Loyal Nationals (an audience who are already worried about changes to their way of life) to try vegetarian/vegan diets. Following a narrative workshop with participants from Moston in Manchester, a messaging guide was created to help Hubbub get the tone and content of their engagement with this audience right. Hubbub created a dedicated Facebook group to put this messaging advice into practice.

“[The project] helped us deepen the understanding and impact of our project and apply similar thinking to our other projects.” – Lizzie Murray-Clark, Creative Partner, Hubbub

  • Strengthening climate action in cities with Our Streets Chorlton (OSC) – led by Dr Angela Mae Minas, University of Manchester

This project is a partnership with a community group in Chorlton, Greater Manchester, to explore how to encourage people to reduce care use for short journeys. The community-led initiative contributed to increasing awareness about the carbon impact of travel in the Chorlton community. Findings from interviews (Dec 2022) and results from a survey (Feb 2022) show that there is an appetite for using fewer cars in Chorlton (50% of motor vehicle users would like to use their cars less), and that community members are more aware of the carbon impact of their travel.

  • Supercharging young climate leaders through Power of 10 with Another Way – led by Dr Katharine Lee, University of Bath 

Reached over 1,700 young people through national workshops. By training and engaging youth and educators, the project brought new younger audiences into the climate conversation.

  • How can citizens’ assemblies help navigate the systemic transformations required by the polycrisis? – led by Claire Mellier, Iswe Foundation; Stuart Capstick, Cardiff University 

Created a guide with recommendations on how citizens’ assemblies can effectively involve new audiences in climate decision-making. The guide has been shared internationally through the KNOCA network and is available to the general public.

  • Evaluating the impact of the ‘Greener & Cleaner’ hub in motivating low carbon behaviors – led by Mark Wilson, University of Bath

The findings of the project were used to engage local authorities and community organisations to develop a community of practice, and the report has been used to secure further funding and validate the impact of the hub to stakeholders.

Impact 3: Instrumental impact (policy influence)

Influencing government at different levels across England, Scotland & Wales

The CAST Impact Fund projects have had practical, direct and indirect influence on decision-making in governmental bodies and local authorities. For example:

  • Engaging with climate change in the context of COVID-19 – led by Dr Christopher Shaw, Climate Outreach

This project focused on exploring effective climate change communication in the age of COVID-19. The Scottish Government utilised research findings from this project during a Public Engagement Workshop. 

This CAST Impact Fund project partnered with Cornwall Council to inform the strategy for a multi-year project supporting Cornwall Council in its response to the climate emergency. In its initial stage, CAST researchers worked on engaging Cornwall Council employees in low-carbon behaviours, measuring the change-readiness of the workforce. The evidence generated by the research is actively used by the Council in their decision-making. The project has also led to a range of follow-up work, including resident engagement such as encouraging uptake of e-bike shared mobility in Cornwall, and CAST was commissioned to evaluate the Council’s active travel social prescribing pilot.

  • Sustaining the political mandate for climate action – led by Prof Rebecca Willis, Lancaster University 

This project’s overarching impact is helping MPs to make better decisions on climate strategy and to navigate the practicalities of the transition. Through this CAST Impact Fund work, The Climate Coalition’s 140 member organisations and others working on climate strategy have a better understanding of the evidence and approach necessary to help MPs work better on climate. This includes a better understanding of where potential stumbling blocks or backlashes may emerge around Net Zero, via insights gathered from MPs themselves. 

Findings are being used by TCC and other climate advocates to develop strategies which are grounded in current political realities. For example, the insights from this project were used to help develop TCC’s strategy in an election year, and to plan for the crucial post-election period. The project team has also been invited to three additional informal strategy meetings with other NGOs to discuss future work possibilities. As a result, MPs will receive timely, relevant and tailored information and interventions from these organisations to help their decision-making.

  • Supercharging young climate leaders through Power of 10 with Another Way – led by Dr Katharine Lee, University of Bath

Project leaders advised the government via a roundtable with the Minister for Climate and DESNZ civil servants. The resulting report and recommendations were distributed within DESNZ for use in discussions with schools and headteachers.

  • Leveraging secondary data analysis informing the development of indicators to measure policy progress on climate goals in collaboration with the Welsh Government – led by Dr Caroline Verfuerth, Cardiff University 

Directly informed the Welsh Government’s revision of how public engagement with climate change is measured. The team identified gaps using the COM-B framework (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour), helping to improve indicators that monitor progress against the Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change.

  • Impacting political leaders and networks in the aftermath of the 2024 UK General Election with Green Alliance – led by Dr Lucas Geese & Dr John Kenny, University of East Anglia

Equipped political and policy networks with evidence-based insights on how campaign-era signals about net zero were interpreted by voters. This allowed for strategic reflection on how to communicate ambitious climate action without triggering opposition.

  • How can citizens’ assemblies help navigate the systemic transformations required by the polycrisis? – led by Claire Mellier, Iswe Foundation; Stuart Capstick, Cardiff University

Influenced the process of generating a long-term Global Assembly, culminating in a UN Foundation report recommending a permanent Global Citizens’ Assembly on Transition Issues be set up by 2025.

Impact 4: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Catalysing diverse research, decision-making, and leadership to drive positive change

The projects funded by the CAST Impact Fund address systemic issues, and incorporate EDI principles into research and decision-making processes. For example:

  • Engaging with climate change in the context of COVID-19 – led by Dr Christopher Shaw, Climate Outreach

This project worked hard to speak with people from normally marginalised sectors, including different age groups (youth and elderly), genders, and people from the LGBTQIA+ community. The project also accounted for ethnic diversity in the research survey sampling and the questions asked. As a result, researchers gained a better understanding of different challenges and recognised the need for oversampling for ethnicity in survey samples, resulting in a permanent shift in research practices within the organisation.

  • Strengthening climate action in cities with Our Streets Chorlton (OSC) – led by Dr Angela Mae Minas, University of Manchester

This project carefully considered and mapped how to engage with the diverse community of Chorlton – including religious and ethnic minority groups. This meant that OSC developed and strengthened connections with the wider community, not just those ‘in the green bubble’; connections that continue even after this project.

  • Carbon assessment: Partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) – led by Dr Christopher Jones, University of Manchester

An equalities impact assessment was incorporated into the carbon and co-benefits assessment tool as a key feature. The project team worked with the GMCA Lead on EDI to make equality assessment more prominent in the decision-making processes at GMCA, specifically to broaden consideration of equalities beyond ‘protected characteristic’ impacts only. The tool enhances how equality impacts assessments and wider equality considerations are included in decision-making at GMCA. 

  • Developing practical resources for transformative citizens’ assemblies on climate change – led by Dr Stuart Capstick, Cardiff University

This project facilitated a better understanding of how to shift power dynamics and to bring more diverse voices into Climate Assembly spaces, as well as how to make these Assemblies more inclusive. More information on the impacts of this project will be added soon.

  • Evaluating the impact of the ‘Greener & Cleaner’ hub in motivating low carbon behaviors – led by Mark Wilson, University of Bath

The project engaged diverse communities in Bromley, identifying the hub’s role in bringing together different social groups and supporting those with climate anxiety. Sociodemographic profiling helped the hub refine its outreach strategy to include groups who previously had fewer opportunities to engage.

  • How can citizens’ assemblies help navigate the systemic transformations required by the polycrisis? – led by Claire Mellier, Iswe Foundation; Stuart Capstick, Cardiff University 

The project produced a guide arguing for a greater focus on power structures and injustice within climate deliberation. It empowered participants to challenge fundamental drivers of the climate crisis, such as inequality and unconstrained consumerism.

Impact 5: Early Career Researcher (ECR) contributions

Building Early Career Researcher experience

The majority of CAST Impact Fund projects have involved contributions from ECRs or have supported ECRs to take on leading roles. This has offered valuable opportunities to build experience and add academic and non-academic outputs to their repertoires. For example: 

This project and all activities were led by an ECR. The project resulted in match funding (with the University of Manchester School of Engineering) for two PhDs, creating two new Early Career posts linked to CAST, and contributed to a successful promotion of the lead ECR to Senior Lecturer.

  • Household behaviour change interventions to meet water efficiency and other pro-environmental organisational objectives – led by Dr Joanne Swaffield, Cardiff University

The lead applicant, an ECR, successfully managed the project, showcasing leadership and contributing to both academic and non-academic outputs.

  • Engaging with climate change in the context of COVID-19 – led by Dr Christopher Shaw, Climate Outreach

An ECR at CAST played a crucial role in producing the final report for this project. Other opportunities included; co-authoring an academic paper, analysing survey results, and leading the development of new ethics oversight procedures for Climate Outreach in collaboration with academic partners.

  • Evaluating the impact of the ‘Greener & Cleaner’ hub in motivating low carbon behaviors – led by Mark Wilson, University of Bath

Led by Mark Wilson with contributions from ECRs Kaloyan Mitev and Nick Nash. They managed all aspects of the project, including research design, budget management, and partner engagement, providing invaluable end-to-end project management experience.

  • Leveraging secondary data analysis informing the development of indicators to measure policy progress on climate goals in collaboration with the Welsh Government – led by Dr Caroline Verfuerth, Cardiff University

Led by an ECR with senior academic mentorship. The project utilized flexible and hybrid working practices to promote accessibility and work-life balance for all collaborators.

  • Impacting political leaders and networks in the aftermath of the 2024 UK General Election with Green Alliance – led by Dr Lucas Geese & Dr John Kenny, University of East Anglia

Led and delivered by two ECRs who managed the full project lifecycle under compressed timelines. The project built their capabilities in partner liaison and impact translation, strengthening their capacity to lead future policy-facing research.

Impact 6: Academic outputs

Further opportunity for knowledge sharing through academic literature

The CAST Impact Fund projects have contributed to academic literature, including journal articles and book chapters, supporting knowledge sharing, education, collaboration and methodological innovation. For example:  

  • Strengthening climate action in cities with Our Streets Chorlton (OSC) – led by Dr Angela Mae Minas, University of Manchester

Insights on grassroots innovations from the project’s engagement with community members were published in a peer-reviewed article in the journal Science Talks.

  • Sustaining the political mandate for climate action – led by Prof Rebecca Willis, Lancaster University

The insights collected as part of this work have led to the submission of a peer-reviewed journal paper.

  • Impacting political leaders and networks in the aftermath of the 2024 UK General Election with Green Alliance – led by Dr Lucas Geese & Dr John Kenny, University of East Anglia

Findings were integrated into cross-institutional and interdisciplinary research spaces, including the Tyndall Annual Assembly and the Royal Statistical Society. This advanced understanding of climate opinion and political communication during election periods.

  • Leveraging secondary data analysis informing the development of indicators to measure policy progress on climate goals in collaboration with the Welsh Government – led by Dr Caroline Verfuerth, Cardiff University

Findings have been summarised in a CAST briefing, targeted at both researchers and those working in policy. Key messages for these audiences centre the value of monitoring the right behaviours over time and how early collaboration between research and policy can lead to stronger design and ultimately better evidence.

  • Evaluating the impact of the ‘Greener & Cleaner’ hub in motivating low carbon behaviors – led by Mark Wilson, University of Bath

A full evaluation report produced describes in detail the research method, results, interpretation and recommendations. In addition, a CAST briefing has been published which aims to provide access to the research for local authorities and policymakers via a more streamlined format.

Further academic outputs and impacts are planned for several of the projects.

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