Evidence about the policy assumptions about lay behaviour

This deliverable provides an analysis of the early fieldwork reports that have been produced as part of WP3. Its focus is on identifying the assumptions that are evident in the approaches of the policy partners to human behaviour around sustainability. The themes of this early work will form one focus of subsequent interactions with the policy partners and will be used as the basis for developing a schedule for further investigations to be deployed with policy makers in each countr

Guidance on Stimulus Materials

PACHELBEL WP4 “Stimulus Materials” uses findings from WP3 (Policy Assumptions) and from additional sources to prepare stimulus materials for the group-based process “STAVE” implemented in WP5. The output was material to inform and stimulate the group-based process. The material was of two types: a set of questionnaires common to all partners (EVOC/CAPA/SIMI questionnaires), and material that is issue-specific and individually produced for each country. EVOC/CAPA/SIMI short questionnaires serve as a comparative tool between countries, giving insight on the social construction of “sustainable consumption” across the PACHELBEL population. Partners asked participants to fill out the set individually at the first meeting of the STAVE group, results were then analyzed and data were fed back for discussion by group participants at their second meeting. A “re-test” was then conducted at the third of three group meetings. The present report details the representations revealed through this methodology – but moreover the impact of applying such a technique in STAVE groups in France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK (where the methodology was slightly altered). The issue-and-country-specific material consists of an informative simulated newspaper article on the particular issue addressed in a given STAVE process, and/or other materials (for example, humorous drawings). The report details how this material was developed, and the experience of applying these stimulus materials in each country. On this basis, guidance for future STAVE processes is offered. Foremost among observations is that PACHELBEL stimulus materials serve a purpose that is distinct from that of “group exercises” as developed in WP5. The materials contributing to the formation of a group identity, a reflexive group norm, and a shared information basis. As such, stimulus materials prepare the group for a cooperative investigative process

Great deeds or great risks? Scientists’ social representations of nanotechnology

Nanotechnologies are becoming a larger presence in everyday life and are viewed by governments and economic actors as a key area for development. The theory of social representations suggests that specialist views eventually disseminate to shape representations among the public. Yet nanotechnologies remain relatively little known to the general public. The media emphasize potential benefits, while potential risks get less attention. The literature has not yet addressed whether representations by a well-informed population (scientists) are indeed structured in terms of the risk–benefit polarity that dominates research framing to date. We attempted a systematic assessment of how background knowledge about nanotechnology may influence experts’ perception. Study 1 delivered the first demonstration derived from a qualitative analysis confirming the existence of a polarized representation of nanotechnologies, contrasting opportunity (medical, economic, and technological) and risk. Interestingly, risk was distinguished at two levels: that associated with nanomaterial characteristics (toxicity, reactivity) and at the larger scale of impact (health, environment, legislation). Does this polarity indicate a ‘yes, but’ logic (nanotechnology carries opportunity but also risk), or two clusters of specialists (sensitive, respectively, to opportunity or to risk)? Study 2 surveyed a larger sample of experts who self-described their scientific background and role viz. nanotechnology. Role had no influence. Specialists consensually viewed that nanotechnology represents opportunity, but depending on scientific background they did not agree to the same extent that nanotechnology also constitutes a risk. Participants with a physics and chemistry background tended to represent nanotechnologies predominantly in terms of opportunities and not in terms of inherent risks or impacts. In contrast, toxicologists, life and social scientists appeared to explicitly incorporate both benefits and risks in their representation of this new technology. Environmental scientists were a more diverse group, divided between the two patterns of representation

Policy addressing climate change & learning about consumer behaviour and everyday life : PACHELBEL

The main objective of PACHELBEL is the development, trialling and operationalisation of a tool called STAVE, which will be designed to support the work of policy-making for sustainability in real-world settings. The tool will support processes of knowledge brokerage, promoting the appropriate application of existing research findings, and the generation of new knowledge which is focused on specific policy objectives.L'objectiu principal del projecte PACHELBEL és desenvolupar, provar i operacionalitzar un instrument anomenat STAVE (Systematic Tool for Behavioural Assumption Validation and Exploration), que haurà de servir per a donar suport als dissenyadors de polítiques públiques ambientals i per la sostenibilitat. Aquesta eina servirà per gestionar millor els processos de transmissió de coneixement entre el públic i les institucions polítiques, així com per a integrar millor els resultats de les recerques socials en l'elaboració de polítiques públiques i per a generar nou coneixement al respecte

Élaboration collective et recommandations des parties prenantes face à un scénario de tempête en 2030 sur le lido de Sète

Le littoral méditerranéen étant exposé à des phénomènes naturels d’érosion ou de submersion, le changement climatique risque d’accentuer ces phénomènes ainsi que la vulnérabilité de la côte. Cette situation présente le défi de réaliser les choix appropriés pour gérer les risques environnementaux dans une perspective temporelle. À partir d’une approche multidisciplinaire, nous présentons un processus d’implication des parties prenantes (PP) locales dans le cadre d’un scénario de tempête en 2030 sur le lido de Sète, France. La méthodologie du scénario est utilisée pour créer une situation face à laquelle la réponse des PP se traduira en propositions d’actions concrètes issues des raisonnements mobilisés pendant les délibérations de groupe. Les résultats de l’élaboration collective des données montrent que le scénario de tempête en 2030 a été considéré comme plausible et a permis aux PP d’exploiter des données tant physiques que socio-économiques pour formuler des recommandations convergentes après avoir considéré une option de recul stratégique significatif et une autre au fil de l’eau.While the Mediterranean coast is exposed to natural phenomena of erosion or submersion, climate change threatens to accentuate and to increase coastal vulnerability. This situation holds the challenge to make the appropriate choices in order to manage environmental risks within a time perspective. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we present a process involving local stakeholders within the frame of a 2030 storm scenario on the Sète lido, France. Scenario methodology is used to create a situation in front of which stakeholders response will lead to concrete action proposals based upon the reasoning used during group deliberation. Results show that the 2030 storm scenario was considered as plausible and it allowed stakeholders to exploit both physical and socioeconomic data to formulate convergent recommendations after considering a major strategic retreat option and another on the fly

From private to public solutions: How collectively oriented arguments emerge in as part of discussions about the new French electricity meters

International audienceInternational efforts to reduce CO2 emissions also include efficiency goals, associated for example with better strategies for energy production and consumption. This goal is presently being addressed in France through the installation of smart meters. The theory of social representations is here used as a theoretical background to understand how climate-related arguments – justifying wider changes at the policymaking level – and arguments advocating individual behavioural change are combined to convey meaning to the new electricity meters. This study focused on the qualitative content produced by groups of citizens from the two French communities where the new meters were first installed: Château-Renault (rural) and Lyon (urban). The three participating groups met each in three different occasions, between which they kept a diary where they registered concrete behaviour changes and barriers to behaviour change. Group sessions were tape-recorded and content analysed. The discussions and the material generated by the groups provided very concrete elements on how the participants tried to make sense of the meter device itself and the policy goals, in relation to their daily and social life. The exchanges between participants seemed to fit into three main dialogical pairs, or themata: collective vs. individual (daily life); private (my behaviour) vs. public spheres (others’ behaviours); and consumption: individualist vs. collectivist. The collective elaboration throughout the group sessions reinforced the empowerment of the groups and led to considering more collectively oriented approaches in contrast to the prevailing individualistic lifestyles