Citizen Social Science for More Integrative and Effective Climate Action: A Science-Policy Perspective

Abstract

Governments are struggling to limit global temperatures below the 2 • C Paris target with existing climate change policy approaches. This is because conventional climate policies have been predominantly (inter)nationally top-down, which limits citizen agency in driving policy change and influencing citizen behavior. Here we propose elevating Citizen Social Science (CSS) to a new level across governments as an advanced collaborative approach of accelerating climate action and policies that moves beyond conventional citizen science and participatory approaches. Moving beyond the traditional science-policy model of the democratization of science in enabling more inclusive climate policy change, we present examples of how CSS can potentially transform citizen behavior and enable citizens to become key agents in driving climate policy change. We also discuss the barriers that could impede the implementation of CSS and offer solutions to these. In doing this, we articulate the implications of increased citizen action through CSS in moving forward the broader normative and political program of transdisciplinary and co-productive climate change research and policy.

Gender-based pairings influence cooperative expectations and behaviours

“…However, the fields of the social and behavioural sciences 51 are still a quite unexplored area under the principles of citizen science. Despite very different perspectives 40,50,[52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60] , some authors are therefore advocating for the combination of citizen science principles with social sciences for the research to be applied to, and in line with, societal concerns.…”

Building a Social Mandate for Climate Action: Lessons from COVID-19

“…Second, planning a transition provides more time to minimise negative impacts and to maximise the co-benefits associated with tackling climate change. While the hurried nature of the COVID-19 response was inevitably costly, the evidence is growing that a well-executed zero-carbon transition can be achieved without compromising on economic prosperity (Kruse et al 2020;Bowen and Hepburn 2014). A carefully planned response allows identification of those areas where the structural adjustment costs of decarbonization are real and putting in place safeguards for a just transition (Bowen and Fankhauser 2017; Newell and Mulvaney 2013).…”

Informing UK governance of resilience to climate risks: improving the local evidence-base

“…Another factor limiting access to data is the fact that not all stakeholder users are part of the research process (PR7, PO1). Lövbrand (2011) argues how researchers find it difficult to include stakeholder engagement practices in the somewhat utilitarian and epistemic practice of climate modelling, while Kythreotis et al (2019) have highlighted the uneven power relationships between citizens, scientists, and policymakers being a particular obstacle to co-production climate research. Stakeholder engagement in climate research, particularly adaptation remains a significant barrier that needs to be overcome for better decision-making to take place (Gramberger et al 2015).…”