{"id":2165,"date":"2023-12-04T10:53:43","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T10:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/?p=2165"},"modified":"2023-12-05T10:36:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T10:36:02","slug":"the-greatest-signs-of-hope-for-tackling-climate-change-exist-at-the-local-not-global-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/2023\/12\/04\/the-greatest-signs-of-hope-for-tackling-climate-change-exist-at-the-local-not-global-level\/","title":{"rendered":"The greatest signs of hope for tackling climate change exist at the local, not global, level"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lorraine Whitmarsh<\/a> is Professor of Environmental Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath, and Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST)<\/a>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

As world leaders gather in Dubai for COP28 to discuss climate change, many within the climate community have low expectations for what will be delivered. The<\/span> UN\u2019s<\/span> Global Stocktake<\/span><\/a> has confirmed that <\/span>governments\u2019 <\/span>progress <\/span>towards the <\/span>Paris <\/span>Agreement goals<\/span> of limiting global warming to 1.5\u00b0C<\/span>\u00a0has fallen far short<\/span>. Th<\/span>e <\/span>latest<\/span> UN<\/span> Emissions Gap report<\/span><\/a> shows<\/span> that <\/span>while some progress has been made in <\/span>slowing the rise in carbon emissions, the world is on track for a temperature rise of <\/span>at least 2.9<\/span>\u00b0C<\/span> (<\/span>and that\u2019s only <\/span>if governments implement their <\/span>climate pledges<\/span>)<\/span>.<\/span> W<\/span>ith a record number of fossil <\/span>fuel lobbyists<\/span> expected <\/span>at <\/span>COP<\/span> it seems unlikely that <\/span>the <\/span>climate <\/span>talks will do much to close the emissions gap.<\/span><\/p>\n

COP28 sees the launch of the latest <\/span>ActNowFilm<\/span><\/a>, produced by <\/span>IPR and Cambridge Zero<\/span>,<\/span> in which young climate activists <\/span>and climate scientists discuss their experiences and hopes for the climate talks. A clear message <\/span>comes<\/span> through from this <\/span>\u2013<\/span> COP is broken<\/span>. <\/span>While it <\/span>may be<\/span> a crucial mechanism for <\/span>global consensus building<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> there are too many vested interests while critical constituents remain excluded. In particular, young people who CAST research shows <\/span>feel more<\/span> fear, guilt and outrage over the impact<\/span>s<\/span> of climate change<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>have <\/span>little say<\/span> and yet are amongst those most affected. <\/span><\/p>\n

There is a stark mismatch between the inertia in international negotiations and the experiences of <\/span>people around the world<\/span><\/a> \u2013 most of whom (57%) say they are experiencing severe impacts from climate change<\/span> already, and many (38%) expect to be displaced from their homes in the next 25 years<\/span> as a result of climate change<\/span>. Most <\/span>also feel governments<\/span>,<\/span> businesses <\/span>and citizens <\/span>are not taking enough action to tackle the climate <\/span>crisis, and<\/span> feel under-informed about what individuals can do. This suggests that the UN\u2019s ACE \u2013 <\/span>Action <\/span>for<\/span> Climate Empowerment<\/span><\/a> \u2013 <\/span>the part of the Paris Agreement <\/span>intended to inform and engage the public <\/span>on<\/span> climate action, is not being effectively implemented.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet there is much that <\/span>individuals<\/span> can do<\/span> (and indeed <\/span>need to do<\/span><\/a>)<\/span> \u2013 both to cut emissions<\/span> directly through lifestyle change<\/span>, <\/span>but also<\/span> indirectly<\/span> to help shape wider systems<\/span>. In <\/span>a <\/span>recent paper<\/span><\/a>, we identify <\/span>six domains of <\/span>choice for climate action<\/span> (see Figure)<\/span>. Four of these relate to our individual carbon footprints \u2013 food, energy, <\/span>transport,<\/span> and shopping.<\/span> If we are to stay within 1.5<\/span>\u00b0C<\/span><\/span>\u00a0warming limit, this means reducing<\/span> our carbon footprint from <\/span>8.5tCO<\/span>2<\/span> to 2.5t<\/span> CO<\/span>2<\/span> by 2030<\/span><\/a>, through<\/span> things like<\/span> flying less, eating more plant-based foods, <\/span>adopting electric vehicles and heat pumps, and <\/span>wasting less.<\/span><\/p>\n

But t<\/span>wo <\/span>other<\/span> domains<\/span> of action <\/span>\u2013 influence and citizenship \u2013 are also important<\/span>.<\/span> This<\/span> includes influencing friends, family, <\/span>neighbours, <\/span>colleagues<\/span> and employers through conversations<\/span>, making leadership <\/span>or career <\/span>decisions, <\/span>joining community action groups, <\/span>and modelling low-carbon behaviour. <\/span>Citizenship include<\/span>s<\/span> political actions, like<\/span> voting<\/span> and protesting, but also <\/span>investing money in sustainable funds<\/span>.<\/span> In fact,<\/span> analysis<\/span><\/a> suggests <\/span>it may be 21 times more effective to <\/span>move your<\/span> savings to sustainable funds<\/span> than<\/span> \u201c<\/span>eating less meat, using public transport, reducing water use, and flying less combined.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Six domains of climate <\/span>action<\/span> (from <\/span>Hampton & Whitmarsh, 2023<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

But there are barriers to <\/span>taking action<\/span> across all six of these domains. These range from knowledge gaps about what is most effective, to<\/span> high-consumption social norms,<\/span> to<\/span> financial <\/span>and<\/span> physical <\/span>constraints, to <\/span>limited opportunities to <\/span>influence political or organisational decisions<\/span>. CAST\u2019s recent <\/span>report for the UK Climate Change Committee, on <\/span>t<\/span>he implications of behavioural science for effective climate policy<\/span><\/a> concludes <\/span>that removing these barriers involves<\/span> clearer communication of climate policies and more public involvement in policy design<\/span>, as well as<\/span> policies that make low-carbon behaviours easier, cheaper, and more attractive<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

While information alone has limited effects on behaviour change, our latest <\/span>behaviour change study<\/span><\/a>\u00a0provided people with information on water saving, asked them to commit to reducing water use, and gave feedback on their progress; this led to a reduction in <\/span>shower<\/span> time of 38%.<\/span> Other work<\/span><\/a> shows congestion charging has reduced car us<\/span>e by 33% in London, while <\/span>d<\/span>oubling <\/span>the proportion of <\/span>vegetarian options in canteens increased plant-based sales by <\/span>up to <\/span>80%<\/span>. <\/span>Combining interventions<\/span> is even more effective; for example combining <\/span>environmental messaging<\/span>, economic incentives<\/span> (<\/span>a <\/span>surcharge <\/span>on<\/span> disposable cups)<\/span>, and infrastructure (free keep-cups)<\/span> reduced <\/span>disposable <\/span>coffee cup<\/span><\/a>\u00a0use by <\/span>38%. Messaging by itself only changed behaviour by 1%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Engagement is key<\/span><\/a>, though. <\/span>Interventions<\/span> imposed on people can lead to <\/span>backlash<\/span><\/a>, whereas <\/span>participatory<\/span> approaches can improve acceptability and effectiveness<\/span>. <\/span>The scale <\/span>and scope <\/span>of behaviour <\/span>change requires <\/span>developing net zero strategies <\/span>with<\/span> people to<\/span> ensure their needs and concerns are incorporated into intervention design.<\/span> This engagement is <\/span>starting to happen<\/span> at <\/span>devolved<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>local<\/span><\/a> levels<\/span>, but the UK still lacks a public engagement strategy for climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed, the local level is really where the most innovation and ambition on climate action can be found. <\/span>From <\/span>community food<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>grassroots sports<\/span><\/a> initiatives, to<\/span> wide-ranging <\/span>city <\/span>initiatives<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>civil <\/span>society organisations and local authorities are working hard to deliver change on the ground in ways that are tailored to the needs <\/span>and capacities <\/span>of <\/span>local communities<\/span> and <\/span>that <\/span>can deliver <\/span>wider economic, social and environmental benefits<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> The evident <\/span>power of the local has led to <\/span>calls for greater devolution of power and resources to support more <\/span>place-based initiatives<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Importantly, l<\/span>ocal initiatives are often more <\/span>people-centred<\/span><\/a> than national or international action, which a<\/span>re dominated by <\/span>large-scale <\/span>technological <\/span>approaches. <\/span>This is <\/span>a problem for several reasons. First, <\/span>it is not realistic<\/span>. <\/span>C<\/span>arbon capture and storage (<\/span>CCS<\/span>)<\/span> and hydrogen (<\/span>which are <\/span>central <\/span>planks of<\/span> UK <\/span>climate <\/span>policy)<\/span>, according to <\/span>CREDS<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> provide<\/span> \u201c<\/span>high risk and uncertain rewards<\/span>\u201d<\/span>,<\/span> whereas <\/span>r<\/span>eady-made energy demand reduction options cut energy demand in the short-term and are \u201c<\/span>disproportionately effective<\/span>\u201d<\/span>.<\/span> The governments\u2019 <\/span>own <\/span>climate advisors, <\/span>CCC<\/span><\/a>, similarly <\/span>criticised the <\/span>Prime Minister\u2019s recent roll-back on <\/span>(demand-side) <\/span>climate policies: <\/span>\u201cRuling out demand-side measures in a wide range of areas such as transport choices and diet reduces the available options to reduce emissions, increasing overall delivery risks. It also removes some important flexibility in the way that future targets can be met.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Second, it is not desirable. <\/span>Demand-side approaches deliver wide-ranging <\/span>wellbeing benefits<\/span><\/a>, particularly to health.<\/span> There is <\/span>overwhelming<\/span> evidence<\/span><\/a> that climate action improves health due to reduced air pollution, eating more fruit and vegetables, and walking or cycling instead of driving. But delivering these benefits requires ambitious climate action from governments, to support and enable people to change their behaviour.<\/span> Demand-side solutions also enable people to play an active role in addressing climate change \u2013 <\/span>and <\/span>taking action, particularly with other people, <\/span>can help people <\/span>manage their<\/span> climate anxiety<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taken together, this <\/span>shows<\/span> the gulf between <\/span>the <\/span>COP talks<\/span> and <\/span>ordinary people when it comes to climate change. <\/span>But while it may be disheartening to see so little progress <\/span>and <\/span>such <\/span>technocentri<\/span>sm<\/span> at <\/span>the international level, there is <\/span>more<\/span> hope in the <\/span>local<\/span> \u2013<\/span> young people,<\/span> communities and <\/span>cities are <\/span>experimenting to find<\/span> people-based <\/span>climate solutions that <\/span>also <\/span>improve <\/span>people\u2019s lives.<\/span> The annual <\/span>UN climate talks at least <\/span>raise climate change up media agendas, and so <\/span>provide an opportunity to celebrate and share insights from t<\/span>hese grassroots <\/span>initiatives<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

All articles posted on this blog give the views of the author(s), and not the position of the IPR, nor of the University of Bath.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more of our blogs on COP28<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lorraine Whitmarsh is Professor of Environmental Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath, and Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST). As world leaders gather in Dubai for COP28 to discuss climate...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1742,"featured_media":2167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[144,148,108,114,116,126,145,129],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate-change","category-cop28","category-culture-and-policy","category-energy-and-environmental-policy","category-evidence-and-policymaking","category-science-and-research-policy","category-sustainability","category-uk-politics"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/115\/2023\/12\/7BF28BC6-C7F2-4ADF-A379-18A440BC861E.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1742"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/iprblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}