An anthropologist by training, Ruth Townend’ decade and a half of research on the role the public can play in climate action cuts across academic, think-tank, industry and government contexts, including studies for the UK government, devolved administrations, and the European Commission. Novel studies include potential for global food waste reduction through behaviour change (Oxfam, 2012); public attitudes to meat and dairy consumption (Chatham House, 2014), and attitudes towards the global commons and planetary stewardship (Global Commons Alliance, 2021).
Ruth’s publications include official government reports and evaluations; international public opinion research; and opinion pieces and explainers. A clear and engaging speaker, Ruth has chaired and participated in panels at the COPs, London and New York Climate Weeks. Her analysis and commentary have appeared in news outlets including CNN, the BBC, Sky News, the Guardian, the Financial Times, among others.
At CAST, Ruth focuses on politically feasible pathways to public climate action. Her work explores how governments can overcome barriers and fulfil their commitments under Article 6 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to “Promote and facilitate …Public participation in addressing climate change and its effects and developing adequate responses.”
Ruth can be contacted directly at r.townend@uea.ac.uk. For any press or media-related queries, please email CAST’s Communications and Engagement Officer (Katie) at kw966@bath.ac.uk.