Why a public engagement strategy on climate change is so important

The briefing emphasizes that reaching net zero ambitions and maintaining a 1.5°C world requires significant individual behavioral changes, which in turn require public buy-in and government-led structural support. It highlights that the UK lacks a centrally-led public engagement strategy despite commitments under the UN's Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) protocol. The document recommends a strategy that is broad-based, utilizes trusted and diverse spokespeople, emphasizes two-way communication over top-down messaging, and focuses on internalizing reasons for change rather than relying on behavioral 'nudges'. It suggests the UK use COP26 to lead internationally on public engagement and invigorate the ACE protocol, noting that few nations, such as Italy, Costa Rica, and Scotland, currently have considered public engagement policies.

• Individual behavioral changes are essential for climate goals, with the Climate Change Committee estimating that 62% of remaining emissions reductions will depend on individual choices and behaviors to some extent.
• The UK currently lacks a centrally-led public engagement strategy for climate change, failing to meet the commitments of Article 6 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also known as 'Action for Climate Empowerment' (ACE).
• International implementation of the ACE protocol is weak due to a lack of national government buy-in, infrastructure, and monitoring processes; only Italy, Costa Rica, and Scotland are identified as leaders in adopting public engagement policies.
• An effective public engagement strategy must move beyond 'nudging' and advertising to focus on two-way dialogue, diverse and trusted messengers, and the inclusion of socially excluded groups, such as those in 'red wall' constituencies and post-industrial areas.

APA

Clarke, J., & Robin, R. (2021). Why a public engagement strategy on climate change is so important. Climate Outreach. https://climateoutreach.org/lords-briefing-behaviour-change-net-zero-public-engagement/

Chicago

Clarke, Jamie, and Rafaelle Robin. Why a public engagement strategy on climate change is so important. Climate Outreach, 2021. https://climateoutreach.org/lords-briefing-behaviour-change-net-zero-public-engagement/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Clarke |first1=Jamie |last2=Robin |first2=Rafaelle |title=Why a public engagement strategy on climate change is so important |publisher=Climate Outreach |date=27 September 2021 |url=https://climateoutreach.org/lords-briefing-behaviour-change-net-zero-public-engagement/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{clarke2021why, author = {Clarke, Jamie and Robin, Rafaelle}, title = {{Why a public engagement strategy on climate change is so important}}, institution = {Climate Outreach}, year = {2021}, month = sep, url = {https://climateoutreach.org/lords-briefing-behaviour-change-net-zero-public-engagement/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }