The report titled 'Climate Conversations 2023 – From Individual Action to Collective Engagement' expands on the Environmental Protection Agency's 'Climate Change in the Irish Mind' study. It underscores that while awareness of climate change is widespread, there is a notable gap in urgency and understanding of individual impacts.
It draws on extensive consultations with citizens, stakeholders (including the community and voluntary sector, environmental NGOs, educational establishments, business representatives, state agencies, public participation networks and policy makers), and youth, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a low-carbon society. The report also identifies the importance of a just transition across all sectors in order to ensure that our response to the climate challenge is equitable and inclusive.
The report illustrates both where individuals and communities in Ireland are actively engaging in climate action and where they face barriers such as lack of information, knowledge, resources or capacity. It highlights a growing trend towards climate-friendly behaviours, with a majority of respondents indicating increased use of public transport or efforts to improve energy efficiency at home. Moreover, the report highlights that many people are eager to do more, such as transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) or investing in solar panels. Despite this willingness, concerns persist about the cost and range of EVs, the return on investment for solar power and uncertainty about how to begin home retrofitting projects. Additionally, there is confusion regarding which actions have the most significant environmental impacts, for instance, there is a lack of awareness regarding the environmental benefits of driving an EV.
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It also highlights habits that are harder to change, and the main reasons for this is inertia. For example, many are reluctant to live car-free and are sceptical about the value of adoption of heat pumps, and many men in particular cannot see themselves eating a diet with less meat. Activities that seem to be "Dublin-centric" can alienate people in more regional and rural areas. Across the generations, young people identify with the freedom to take flights and struggle with the idea of flying less, and older people identify with traditional forms of heating and can struggle with the concept of warmer homes without an open fire, for example.
Nevertheless, the report also demonstrates how individuals and communities are surmounting these obstacles. It reveals that climate action and tangible progress are taking place through community efforts throughout Ireland. This has spurred the launch of a new Climate Actions Work initiative.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, said:
"This report highlights the crucial role people and communities are already playing in driving climate action. There are green shoots throughout the country. You only have to travel around the country to see the number of solar panels going up on roofs every week to see that people will enthusiastically adopt to new greener ways, particularly if they see the benefit for them and their community.
"It also gives us a clear insight into what we have to do to connect with people in a better way, to bring people with us as we make this transition to warmer homes, better communities, green jobs and agriculture. If there’s one really salient issue from this report, it’s that every aspect of climate action must be viewed through a just transition lens. If we don’t have a fair transition, it won’t be fast, and if we don’t have a fast transition, it won’t be fair for anyone."
The work highlighted in this report has been a key driver of the Climate Actions Work programme which was launched by Minister Ryan in March. This ambitious programme seeks to identify, support and scale community engagement on climate action across the country.
