Understanding UK Perceptions of Climate Risk and Resilience (RESILRISK)

In this proposal we focus on the British public as future recipients of climate risk messages and adaptation information. RESIL-RISK will investigate how people currently conceptualise the relationship between climate risks, resilience and adaptation options/policy, as evidence for designing future climate change risk communications. Although many aspects of climate risk perception are now well understood, much of the past research has focused on developing an understanding of supporting more effective mitigation actions (in particular, reduced use of fossil fuel energy) and policy. There is far less systematic evidence on how ordinary citizens might view climate risk adaptation and resilience, and no coherent theoretical account of how these are related to climate risk perceptions. RESIL-RISK will build upon a programme of work conducted over the past decade from the team at Cardiff University. A nationally representative survey (n=3000) with experimental components to test communication strategies will be designed in close collaboration with our partner Climate Outreach, the UK Met Office, and an expert advisory group. As well as generating a large dataset on public understandings and public support of climate change adaptation strategies, a key academic aim is to improve our theoretical understanding of links between climate risk perceptions, resilience, adaptation options and communication strategies. Results are expected to be of high public policy interest both in the UK and internationally. Key findings will be disseminated to relevant policy communities through reports (top-line findings and recommendations for climate resilience communication), a major launch event, media channels and through Climate Outreach's existing network. The project will also contribute towards our understanding of how risk communication can be delivered as a climate service, with a particular focus upon supporting future UK Climate Risk Assessments.

Who could potentially benefit from the proposed research over different timescales?
Key stakeholder beneficiaries throughout the UK include representatives from government climate policy (in particular UK Met Office and Defra, but also BEIS, DfT, Welsh and Scottish Governments), other advisory organisations (Committee on Climate Change), third sector organisations (Public Health Bodies, National Flood Forum, National Trust, Green Alliance) and industry (the Association of British Insurers, Water and Energy Utilities). We will work closely with UK Met Office throughout the RESIL-RISK project, as well as a group of key stakeholders including invited representatives from those mentioned above, who will be engaged through the stakeholder advisory group convened by Climate Outreach and through the dissemination event at the project's conclusion.

How might the potential beneficiaries benefit?
RESIL-RISK will assist evidence-based decision-making and developing strategies within policy, industry, third sectors and communities to improve the UKs resilience to climate change. It will also inform a critical evidence gap on public risk perceptions and communication, for the next UK Climate Risk Assessment due in 2022. Having an up-to-date and robust understanding of public attitudes around climate risks and adaptation options will be essential for other organisations and stakeholders across different sectors. For advocacy organisations (e.g. the National Trust), a clear picture of public attitudes is essential for effective campaigning around climate risks and resilience. For policy makers, both longer-term policy, decision-making and communication strategies can be informed by the proposed research. And for industry stakeholders such as insurers and actuaries, an accurate and in-depth gauge of public perceptions and understandings of risk is known to be crucial for fostering climate resilient communities, and through this for reducing the potential scale of climate losses that they may face in the future. Additionally, RESIL-RISK will help users (researchers and stakeholders) to engage effectively with publics about climate risk, with a clear potential to enhance: meaningful communication and engagement between public(s) and policy-makers/industry; public consent for investment in climate change resilience; informed public debate regarding current changes to infrastructure or services; and changes in behaviour leading to more sustainable and climate resilient lifestyles. In the long-term, it could contribute to improved quality of life and the economic vibrancy of the UK through the increased uptake of sustainable behaviours and co-benefits arising from adaptation and green growth.

Summary of Pathway to Impact:
We will convene an expert stakeholder advisory group to inform the survey design and facilitate dissemination of research findings. Towards the end of RESIL-RISK we will produce two reports a) a Top-line finding report, outlining the main research findings of the project and b) a report summarizing recommendations for climate resilience communication. The reports will be launched at a high profile launch event in January 2020, as well as through various press and electronic media, with targeted dissemination events to follow on from that beyond the lifetime of the funding period. Prior experience with high impact research projects and collaboration with Climate Outreach will enable us to use existing networks and realise these events.