Supporting policymakers: Insights for effective climate policy
At CAST, we recognise that people must be at the heart of climate solutions. Our research provides policymakers with the insights they need to design and deliver effective, inclusive, and publicly supported climate policies.
Why social science matters for climate policy
Reaching critical net zero targets and adapting to climate change requires more than technology and infrastructure – it depends on people.
Social science helps explain:
- How individuals and communities perceive and respond to climate policies
- What motivates or hinders low-carbon behaviours and wider climate action
- How trust, identity and social norms shape public support for climate action
- How to communicate risk, uncertainty and urgency without disengaging the public
- How to co-design policies that work across diverse audiences
How we work with policymakers
We don’t just research the social science of climate change. We also work directly with national, devolved and regional policymakers to translate our insights into real-world impact.
We can offer:
- Timely data and insights to inform evidence-based policymaking
- Collaborative research projects
- Advisory support from experts in climate policy, engagement and behaviour change
- Tailored briefings for civil servants and policy officials
- Training and workshops to embed social science understanding into climate governance
- Speakers for webinars and events
We regularly submit responses to policy consultations and calls for evidence, and many of our CAST team sit on advisory boards and committees.
We also have an established network of policy contacts, so a key element of our policy engagement focuses on connecting groups and individuals to encourage new collaborations.
Highlights
- Contributing to the Climate Change Committee’s 7th Carbon Budget and leading its review of how behavioural science can inform effective climate policy
- Conducting a collaborative research project with the Scottish Government to review its public engagement strategy on climate change
- Co-designing a tool for Greater Manchester Combined Authority to enable it to assess new plans based on sustainability criteria, which is now freely available to all local authorities
- Helping Cornwall Council boost active transport through an innovative pilot project
- Participating in a roundtable discussion on climate change and resilience with Government Chief Scientific Advisor Prof Dame Angela McLean
- Helping the Welsh Government measure the effectiveness of their climate change public engagement and behaviour change initiatives
- Producing guidance to improve how citizens assemblies are designed and evaluated
“The adaptation findings from your CCC evidence review were really helpful in guiding the behaviours strategy in the latest Scottish National Adaptation Plan. There’s not a lot of research in this space, so we relied on your authoritative piece.”
Scottish Government
Relevant resources
- Report – Opinion on climate change policy during the 2024 general election
- Report – Raising the Floor as well as the Ceiling? How minimum climate standards could help England’s Devolved Authorities align new projects with net zero
- 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 33 – When, how, and why do politicians engage with climate change? A systematic review
- CAST Briefing 29 – Five principles for good public engagement: How to get people involved in the climate conversation
- CAST Briefing 28 – How not to transform: Learning from the backlash against low-carbon heating policy in Germany
- CAST Briefing 20 – How can politicians avoid a net-zero backlash? The role of public engagement: a briefing for policy makers and communicators
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.