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Climate action behavioural science

The EPA is committed to furthering and supporting scientific knowledge and research. The EPA has engaged in and funded behavioural science research for climate action. The aim is to understand the preferences, behaviours, and attitudes of individuals with regards to climate action. As well as assessing the Irish public’s opinion on climate related issues.


Behavioural science research facilitates and creates approaches to climate policy development and implementation. This includes behavioural change and communications. This will benefit: 

  • Researchers
  • Policymakers
  • Government departments/agencies
  • Communications experts
  • Other interested parties

Behavioural insights unit goals

  • Provide the evidence base for who and how best to target activation, engagement, and behavioural change on climate action. 
  • Develop an understanding of the underlying psychological & cultural factors that influence the public including attitudes, policy preferences & behaviours.
  • Be a resource and provide advisory service to national, regional and local stakeholders. 
  • Provide data, tools and techniques that allow for effective public engagement over time. 
  • Support national coordination, networking, and capacity building. 
  • Establish a process for ongoing monitoring and reporting. 

Behavioural science research aligns with the objectives of the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA). The NDCA aims to be a hub for understanding: public climate change knowledge, attitudes, policy preferences, behaviour and the psychological and cultural factors that influence the public.

Latest Publications in the Behavioural Insights Series:

A review of Climate Change Attitudes Using a Person Centred Framework (No 1. 2024)

Gap Analysis on Behavioural Research Related to Climate Policy and Interventions (No 2. 2024)

Encouraging Cooperation in Climate Collective Action Problems (No 3. 2024)

 

Latest Publications in the Climate Change in the Irish Mind program:

Climate Change in the Irish Mind Wave 2, Report 1

Climate Change in the Irish Mind Wave 2, Report 2

Climate Change in the Irish Mind Wave 1 - Insight report 1: Support for Climate Policies

Climate Change in the Irish Mind Wave 1 - Insight report 2: Climate Risk Perceptions

Climate Change in the Irish Mind Wave 1 - Insight report 3: Worry about Climate Change impacts 

Climate Change in the Irish Mind Wave 1 - Insight report 4: Intention Action Dynamic

Climate Change in the Irish Mind Wave 1, Report 1

Climate Change's Four Irelands Wave 1, Report 2

 

Further Information

For more climate related resources, please visit ‘Climate Change & You’ section of the EPA website.

For more Information on the CCIM project, please visit the Climate Change in the Irish Mind webpage.