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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

‘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…

IPCC report delivers a stark warning but also a message of hope.

Last week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). The AR6 Synthesis Report underscores the escalating severity of the climate crisis but also highlights the broad range of available policy measures that could bring about deep emissions cuts and enhance climate resilience…