The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST)

We are thrilled to announce the publication of our report: ‘Catalysts of Change: People at the Heart of Climate Transformations’, which summarises five key messages from five years of CAST social science research on climate change ✍️ Our report highlights the importance of putting people at the heart of climate change action and reveals how policymakers can better engage people with climate initiatives 🌍 Key messages include: 👥 1) Put people at the heart of climate action – Climate policy must be people-centred, which means considering the needs, attitudes and values of all individuals.  We can’t achieve the societal changes needed to tackle climate change without the public’s support and cooperation. 🙌 2) There is conditional public support for decisive action on climate change – Most people in the UK want climate action and are willing to make sustainable choices. Climate initiatives are more popular when they are fair and accessible, enable freedom of choice, bring non-environmental benefits and have proper government support. 🌍 3) Transformative change should embrace diverse perspectives and break down systemic barriers – Climate policies should consider how differences and inequalities affect people’s abilities to live sustainably. Low-carbon choices should be accessible to all. Low-carbon choices need to be practical, convenient, cheap and socially acceptable. Initiatives should connect with things people already care about. 🤝 4) Action across all levels of society and in all sectors is needed to drive impactful societal change – We need joined up action across multiple scales, regions and sectors. Initiatives should enable people to contribute to change through their many roles – e.g. as citizens, consumers, parents, employees and community leaders. 🏛️ 5) Clear leadership at all levels will shape the frameworks we need for system change – Governments must provide clear and effective leadership to drive action, build trust, legitimise change and foster collective engagement. That means delivering proper goals, plans, information, resources and funding, as well as leading by example. To find out more about our key messages report, read our blog post for a summary of insights and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners: https://lnkd.in/eYikmHZn Watch the summary animation: https://lnkd.in/eQSigmHB Download the key messages report: https://lnkd.in/efcGk7K3 A big thank you to the team at Motion Manor for illustrating the report as well as the animation. #KeyMessages #ClimateAction #SocialTransformations

Ahead of the #UK Budget, people are highly concerned about #ClimateChange and support policies that address both climate and health, our new research reveals. The research, by Dr Neil Jennings, Dr Pauline Paterson, Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE and Dr Candice Howarth, is based on a nationally representative sample (on the basis of age, gender and ethnicity) and shows us what the UK public think about policies that can deliver for climate and health: ✅ The #UK public are highly supportive of the government target to reach #NetZero by 2050. 👎 While many people are yet to form an opinion on the #UK Government’s climate mitigation plans, the majority of those who have an opinion believe current plans to be insufficient. 🏡 People perceive the benefits of climate change to be important to themselves - particularly those that improve their health, such as making homes more affordable to heat and improving air quality. 🚲There is a high level of support for policies related to green space, housing and active travel. To turn these opportunities into reality we recommend: ❤️ increased ambition on climate & health 🤝 greater join-up across government departments 🗳️ increased levels of public engagement in the policy design process Find out more in our latest report: https://ow.ly/mTKH50TUk1o

As the COP29 conference approaches, join Climate Barometer's Susie Wang and Engaging Climate's Jamie Clarke for a free webinar on how to talk about climate and foreign policy ahead of COP29 based on the largest piece of British audience research undertaken. Susie and Jamie will talk about what works, what doesn’t work, and offer suggestions for how to speak about UK climate change action in a global context. Reserve your spot here: https://lnkd.in/ehuUK4yx

A reminder that the deadline for applications to be a Climate Barometer co-director close this Thursday at 5pm! 🕔

Take a look at this new role with Climate Barometer! 👇

📣 Calling all Climate Experts! 🌍 Are you passionate about your work but struggle to communicate its importance to the broader public? Join us for a 2-hour Public Engagement Training designed specifically for climate professionals like you. This session will equip you with the skills to: 🔹 Communicate complex concepts with clarity and impact. 🔹 Engage diverse audiences and inspire meaningful action. 🔹 Amplify your message across various platforms. Whether you're looking to influence policy, educate the public, or drive climate action, this training will empower you to make your voice heard. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your communication skills! 📅 Next session: Wednesday 6 November, 10am – 12pm *Special offer: we’re piloting a fresh approach to supporting climate experts on this workshop. Price is reduced for this workshop only* (other sessions available) Book now (and find out more): https://lnkd.in/d33W2fhe #ClimateAction #PublicEngagement #ScienceCommunication #ProfessionalDevelopment #Sustainability

Climate change is already impacting physical & mental health in the UK, including: 📈 Rising deaths from extreme heat 🧠PTSD for those affected by flooding 👩⚕️Risks of infectious disease Ahead of #COP29 read our new briefing on climate & health in the UK by Dr Neil Jennings, Dr Emma Lawrance and Dr Ilaria Dorigatti: https://ow.ly/gy0N50TPO1S

Just an end of week reminder that Climate Barometer is looking for a new co-director, with an emphasis on partnerships and donor relationships/fundraising, on a 2 day per week basis. We're accepting applications until October 31st!

Join me online on Monday 21st October (2-4pm BST) to revisit the impact of the French Climate Convention. Selma Tilikete and I have analysed all the research published on the Convention so far (academic publications + grey literature) and reviewed it through the lens of the Impact Evaluation Framework developed by Stuart Capstick and Christina Demski at The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST). Check out our draft report https://lnkd.in/eZfJ_3cm and join us for an exciting workshop organised by KNOCA - Knowledge Network on Climate Assemblies with Alina Averchenkova and many others. Register: https://lnkd.in/erGVdqZ6

Tomorrow, Carbon Brief is hosting a free webinar on what to watch out for at COP16. For a breakdown of what’s at stake at the UN biodiversity conference, register for the webinar here ⬇️ https://buff.ly/3Ns5hyt 🕒 3pm UK time The webinar features our team of five specialist reporters who are on the ground in Cali, Colombia: ➤ Dr Giuliana Viglione – section editor for food, land and nature ➤ Daisy Dunne – associate editor ➤ Aruna Chandrasekhar – land, food systems and nature reporter ➤ Orla Dwyer – land, food systems and nature reporter ➤ Yanine Quiroz – land, food systems and nature reporter Questions for the speakers can be submitted in advance by email via webinar@carbonbrief.org, or via X, using the hashtag #CBWebinar.