Understanding UK Perceptions of Climate Risk and Resilience (RESILRISK)

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In this proposal we focus on the British public as future recipients of climate risk messages and adaptation information. RESIL-RISK will investigate how people currently conceptualise the relationship between climate risks, resilience and adaptation options/policy, as evidence for designing future climate change risk communications. Although many aspects of climate risk perception are now well understood, much of the past research has focused on developing an understanding of supporting more effective mitigation actions (in particular, reduced use of fossil fuel energy) and policy. There is far less systematic evidence on how ordinary citizens might view climate risk adaptation and resilience, and no coherent theoretical account of how these are related to climate risk perceptions. RESIL-RISK will build upon a programme of work conducted over the past decade from the team at Cardiff University. A nationally representative survey (n=3000) with experimental components to test communication strategies will be designed in close collaboration with our partner Climate Outreach, the UK Met Office, and an expert advisory group. As well as generating a large dataset on public understandings and public support of climate change adaptation strategies, a key academic aim is to improve our theoretical understanding of links between climate risk perceptions, resilience, adaptation options and communication strategies. Results are expected to be of high public policy interest both in the UK and internationally. Key findings will be disseminated to relevant policy communities through reports (top-line findings and recommendations for climate resilience communication), a major launch event, media channels and through Climate Outreach's existing network. The project will also contribute towards our understanding of how risk communication can be delivered as a climate service, with a particular focus upon supporting future UK Climate Risk Assessments.