Sub-title:  Climate Change's Four Irelands

Publisher: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ireland

Report Summary:

Climate change is a global challenge that requires collective efforts to mitigate its impacts and build a sustainable future. The trajectory of our planet is greatly influenced by individual acts, but real change can only be brought about by comprehending and involving all facets of society. 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ireland embarked on a new project with Yale University’s Programme on Climate Change Communications (YPCCC) to research the attitudes, behaviours, policy preferences, and beliefs of the Irish public to climate change. The project has published two reports so far: 'Climate Change in the Irish Mind' (2021), which sets out survey results following a high-level analysis of the data, and 'Climate Change's Four Irelands' (2022), which provides insights into climate change audience segments and how each responds to climate issues.

Main Findings:

  • Understanding Public Perceptions: The EPA study aims to understand how the Irish public perceives and responds to climate change. By examining public attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, the report provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of fostering behavior change in the context of climate action.​​​​​​​
  • Importance of Behavioral Shifts: The report emphasizes the need for behavioral shifts to align individual actions with climate goals. It highlights that while policy and technological advancements play a vital role, individual choices and actions significantly impact overall emissions and environmental sustainability. Encouraging positive changes in behavior can contribute to achieving Ireland's climate targets.
  • Barriers to Behavior Change: The EPA study identifies several barriers that hinder behavior change related to climate action. These barriers include limited awareness and knowledge about climate change, perceived inconvenience or cost, and the lack of perceived impact of individual actions. Addressing these barriers is crucial for promoting and enabling sustainable behaviors.
  • Effective Communication and Engagement: The report emphasizes the importance of effective communication and engagement strategies to inspire behavior change. Clear and accessible information, targeted campaigns, and involving communities, businesses, and educational institutions are key to fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility.
  • Building Supportive Environments: Creating environments that facilitate sustainable behaviors is vital. This includes providing accessible public transportation, promoting active travel options, improving energy efficiency in buildings, and enhancing recycling infrastructure. By making sustainable choices more accessible and convenient, individuals are more likely to adopt and maintain environmentally friendly behaviors.
  • Collaboration and Partnerships: The EPA report highlights the significance of collaboration between various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals. Working together, these entities can create a shared vision, pool resources, and drive collective action to accelerate behavior change and address climate change challenges.

Links to reports:
​​​​​​​Climate Change in the Irish Mind
Climate Change's Four Irelands​​​​​​​