cast.ac.uk

5 key messages from five years of CAST research: New report

5 key messages from five years of CAST research: New report

Read our latest CAST report: 'Catalysts of Change: People at the Heart of Climate Transformations', and watch our animation summarising 5 key messages from five years of CAST social science research on climate change and how we can achieve the social changes needed to tackle climate change.

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.

News from CAST

Our latest report

Season for Change 2020: showcasing cultural leadership on climate action

Led by Artsadmin and Julie’s Bicycle, Season for Change 2020 will be a major cultural festival and campaign celebrating the environment and inspiring urgent action on the future of our planet, in the lead up to the UN’s COP26 international climate negotiations in Glasgow, November 2020. Season for Change 2020…

Student innovators pitch ideas to tackle the CAST areas of focus

This article was originally published on the University of Cardiff website. Sustainable student ideas win cash prizes A ‘smart fridge,’ an app that cuts supermarket food waste, and a system that uses small change to plants trees are among the winners of a new sustainability challenge for Cardiff University students…

CAST supports Cardiff University’s Climate Emergency Declaration

Cardiff University has declared a climate emergency and announced its aim to become carbon neutral by 2030. Cardiff University is our host institution and we’re pleased to have been able to support the University Executive Board in their discussions around the climate emergency. Universities around the world are responding to…

CAST Director to take lead role in citizens assembly on climate change

Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, our centre director, is one of four lead experts who will support the design and delivery of the Climate Assembly UK. Citizens’ assemblies bring together people from all walks of life to discuss important issues. They have been used all around the world, including in the UK,…