Exploring public attitudes to climate change and travel choices - deliberative research - final report

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the public understanding of, and engagement with, climate change. It aimed to identify and explore the barriers and incentives to behavioural change which could result in reduced personal travel, and also to explore the role of information in improving public awareness, understanding of, and attitudes towards, travel behaviour and climate change. Research was carried out amongst five groups of 30 members of the public from locations across England. The study found that: (1) widespread awareness and acceptance of climate change does not necessarily mean widespread engagement; (2) travel behaviour was primarily driven by cost and convenience; (3) communication messages about climate change would need to be simple and grounded in experiences; (4) communicating the contribution of personal transport decisions is key.