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Project title

Citizen's Views on Climate Action: evaluating and implementing public engagement research on low carbon transition

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)

Lead Applicant

Brenda McNally

Project Abstract

Oversimplification of public views on climate actions are a major concern for climate mitigation policy due to possible public backlash and/or disengagement. Therefore, understanding Irish public views on mitigation requires research employing a range of contemporary approaches. This project provides a media and communications perspective on climate action in order to shed light on the societal barriers and thus develop policy/communication recommendations for building public engagement at scale. Thus, it examines public engagement beyond organised, deliberative or dialogic events and adds to insights from the Citizens Assembly and the National Dialogue on Climate Change. The project involves a systematic literature review to assess contemporary theory, practice and empirical findings on public engagement with climate actions across the range of disciplines now investigating societal decarbonisation, followed by a pilot study of Irish audience views and media use around climate action. The desk study informs communication pressures by synthesizing a growing body of research that challenges linear understandings of communication which prioritise literacy and (social) psychology theories of engagement. The pilot study draws on this to establish an appropriate analytical framework for focus group interviews and these insights will be used to develop a communications toolkit for a just low carbon transition.

Grant Approved

�82,346.10

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

07/01/2019

Initial Projected Completion Date

06/01/2020