Changing hearts instead of changing minds – another take on climate action

This piece elaborates on a ‘new way of thinking’ (Einstein, 1946) that would contribute to overcoming the challenge of climate change and its impacts. This ‘new way’ will have us go beyond using facts and figures alone to persuade and cajole. It will have us stretching our moral imagination (Johnson, 2016) and empathising with people very...

The role of International Cooperative Initiatives in achieving national climate targets in the Netherlands: The case of the chemical sector

Collective action within the pharmaceutical sector and lessons on taking effective climate action to reduce emissions: A case study on Johnson & Johnson

Situation<br/>The constant increase in global temperatures is becoming more and more concerning for the future of our planet. The health of the planet is crucial for our existence and for the health of humanity, which is why we need to maintain and care for our environment. The pharmaceutical sector contributes to a lot of greenhouse gas...

The effect of social identities on the opinion dynamics of nuclear energy: Exploring the emergence of public opinion patterns regarding nuclear energy

This research focuses on public attitudes toward nuclear energy in the context of reaching consensus on energy solutions for climate action. Using the Social Identity Approach, it analyzes how social groups shape opinions, with a spotlight on Germany and France. Political affiliation, age, socio-economic status, and gender are key identity...

The Sustainable Campus: Working towards a Carbon-Neutral University

Abstract: The main task of a university is to conduct scientific research, accommodate scientific education, and transfer knowledge. Within this environment, new models, approaches, strategies and technologies can be tested and investigated safely. Simultaneously these processes can be monitored, evaluated and adjusted and enhanced when needed....

Extended Peer Communities: Appraising the contributions of tacit knowledges in climate change decision-making

This paper explores the implications of assessing tacit knowledges of climatic change in extended peer communities, as applied in two European research projects on climate action. Post-normal science (PNS) proposes the extension of the peer community to co-produce better quality knowledge for decision-making on issues like climate change,...

Candid climate efforts or empty promises?: analyzing NSA’s voluntary commitments and efforts

Most policies for mitigating climate change are to date orchestrated top-down, yet have not been as effective as anticipated. Recently, non-state actors (NSAs) are being considered as complementary contributors to climate change mitigation, allowing for a more bottom-up, decentralized approach. NSAs, as the name suggests, are not affiliated with...

Engaging Cities: Overcoming the Barriers to Climate Action

National and international attention, both academic and otherwise, to local climate actions and policy usually focuses on large/mega-cities. However, given current progress, this represents an oversight when approaching the energy transition – in particular, due to the large proportion of the urban population living in cities smaller than 500...