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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 CAST Data Portal goes live! Explore and understand public perceptions of climate change

What do people across the world think about climate change? Do they want to see action or do they prefer things to stay the same? These are questions that many stakeholders are grappling with, whether they are academics, the media, policymakers, business, civil society practitioners or others. We know that…

Climate emergency declarations: what do they tell us about universities response to climate change?

This piece was originally published by the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) and is reproduced here with their permission. By Briony Latter The past two years have seen a sustained and high level of publicity around climate change in the UK, with the concept of climate change as an emergency becoming…

CAST Director Prof. Lorraine Whitmarsh recognised with MBE in New Year Honours list for Services to Social Research in Climate Change, Energy and Transport.

Leading environmental psychologist, Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, has been recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours, announced by The Cabinet Office. Awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of work she has led on behaviour change and public engagement towards more sustainable futures, Professor Whitmarsh’s recognition follows…

How far did COP26 go on putting public action at the heart of the agenda? Reflections from CAST

By Dr Amiera Sawas Four weeks after the last gavel landed at COP26 in Glasgow, the team at CAST are reflecting on what the international negotiations mean for our work. CAST’s mandate is to research and advocate how societies can live differently – and better – in ways that meet…