How Behavioural Science Can Unlock Climate Adaptation Actions

How does behavioural science motivate actions to adapt to climate change? Behavioural science is the study of how humans think and behave.

Everyone will need to adapt to climate change in different ways. From city residents to coastal and rural communities, businesses and farmers must prepare for various changes, such as rising sea levels, heat waves, extreme temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and flooding.

However, many people perceive these impacts as uncertain or distant or may be unsure about what to do. As a result, they tend to postpone taking action to adapt to climate change.

The ongoing use of fossil fuels is warming the planet and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, making climate adaptation essential. Behavioural science could be crucial in promoting climate adaptation efforts on a broader scale than we have seen.

It can help identify the barriers preventing us from adapting to climate change and offer insights on designing solutions that empower and motivate people to take action. Studies show that investing in climate adaptation saves lives, reduces damages, and generates economic, environmental, and social benefits.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) commissioned the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) to review the role of behavioural science. The report highlights that most people are largely unaware of how to prepare for the effects of climate change, such as extreme heat, droughts, or flooding. Policymakers are urged to communicate clearly about the most effective behaviours for preparing for these natural hazards.

The report recommendations indicate that more research is needed in the following areas: evaluating whether regulations can effectively promote the construction of climate-resilient buildings, comparing the effectiveness of interventions for different types of risks (such as flooding versus heatwaves), and gathering further evidence on how to encourage people to change their behaviour during events like heatwaves or droughts.

The results of this research could provide policymakers with the necessary insights to deliver clear, tailored advice based on specific risks and supplementary measures, such as financial incentives for homeowners.

The WRI article highlighted a successful example of how behavioural science has positively impacted communities and cities worldwide.

In Colombia’s Norte de Santander region, farmers adopted a new farming practice that has become a norm within the community due to its proven success in increasing production and improving the land. In Fiji, communities could not implement an adaptation action – planting deep-rooted grass called vetiver to stabilise riverbank soils and reduce soil erosion.

Despite government support, communities’ inability to apply this adaptation action has underscored essential lessons regarding the drivers of climate actions, which have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of climate adaptation and intervention programmes in the future.

The government has implemented initiatives to reduce disaster risk in Malabon City, Philippines, which is prone to typhoons and flooding. They printed large tarpaulin maps to highlight evacuation zones during emergencies. Additionally, the city has promoted mangrove restoration to lessen flooding and trained local officials in disaster risk management.

And in European countries such as France, Germany, and Belgium, it has become clear that heat warning systems alone are insufficient to motivate heat safety measures, particularly among vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and individuals with medical conditions.

As a response, these countries have provided incentives, such as discounts on cooling equipment, and utilised social media campaigns to encourage heat safety behaviours. Cities like Paris and Brussels have also increased the number of green urban spaces and expanded access to cooling centres, fountains, and swimming pools to help protect people from extreme heat.

These examples highlight the various behavioural tools and policies governments can use to promote climate adaptation and encourage pro-climate behaviours, but these options are often underutilised.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) article identifies and elaborates on six types of behaviour change tools. Additionally, it offers three recommendations for unlocking climate adaptation actions in vulnerable communities:

1. Design Projects and Programmes to Empower Communities: An example is the initiative launched in flood and erosion-prone communities in Fiji.

2. Change the Way Climate Risks Are Communicated to Spur Action: The city of Malabon in the Philippines serves as an example of effective communication that encourages action.

3. Use Policy to Remove Barriers to Behaviour Change: This is exemplified by the efforts of various European countries and cities that provide incentives, create safe spaces to protect residents from extreme heat, and issue heat warnings.

Please read the article: We’re Not Adapting to Climate Change Fast Enough. Behavioral Science Could Help.