1.a Project outcomes to-date
The project has validated the World Café approach as an effective methodology for engaging young people in discussions around energy and the net zero agenda.
The World Café approach and subsequent findings have also developed an improved understanding within the project team of the perceptions and behaviours of young people around energy efficiency in the home, which has in turn influenced LBC strategy on appropriate communications for young people around energy and carbon emissions.
In particular, consideration of appropriate communication approaches concern several key areas highlighted by the study, including the following:
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Despite a comprehensive understanding of climate change, critical global environmental issues, and the subsequent need to reduce carbon emissions, this was typically not a significant enough driver to influence behaviour change around energy use in the home for young people. Discussions were largely around what the participants thought they ‘ought’ to be doing, rather than what they did in practice.
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The main driver for behaviour change was cost reduction. As a result, only those participants that were homeowners or private renters demonstrated significant behaviour change to reduce energy consumption. “Saving the planet” was seen as an additional but consequential benefit.
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The main driver for behaviour change amongst those young people living at home was the influence of parents/families, who were themselves focused on cost reduction. Participants indicated that discussions around energy use in the home between parents and younger people (and the link to global environmental issues) was very limited.
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Access to renewable energy was cited by participants as being limited, with the production of renewable energy itself sometimes linked to a perception of negative environmental impacts. Access to renewable energy was not necessarily seen as a driver for behaviour change, but related to energy consumption being seen as more ethically acceptable. In other words, technology to sustain present lifestyles was often preferred over behaviour change.
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In general, participants demonstrated an excellent level of understanding of climate change and carbon emission causes and issues, but many indicated that they were not aware of actions that they could take to reduce energy consumption, and the specific actions that would have the most significant impact (on cost reduction). Some participants indicated the need to be able to better visualise how to save money (and energy). For example, being able to better understand the data presented by smart meters.
1.b. Sustaining project outcomes
The final stage of the project is to disseminate the insights gained through the study to key local authority and community stakeholders.
The project has influenced and ‘up-skilled’ local authority project stakeholders in methods by which the council will engage and communicate with young people. It has also enhanced the level of understanding around the roles that young people play, particularly within families, around energy efficiency behaviours. The findings will link into and inform ongoing LBC initiatives, including the “School Champions” campaign.
2. Anticipated longer-term impact on progress towards net zero
Longer-term action from LBC will be focused around several key areas including:
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Improved messaging around climate change and energy to different groups within the community
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Reduced energy consumption in the residential sector in Luton through an improved understanding of approaches to energy efficiency in the home
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Disseminating project findings to influence approaches within other local authorities
3. Evolving the approach to net zero
The project findings have largely dispelled a long-held myth (within local authorities) around the perceptions of young people’s priorities around energy and climate change, and the influence that they have on parental/family understanding and subsequent behaviours within the household.
The messaging (from the local authority) around energy use within the community, therefore needs to vary across different groups/age ranges of young people to reflect different drivers.
The study also highlights the importance for consideration of the link between motivations for switching to more energy efficient behaviours, and periods of time when energy costs are particularly high. The key consideration for the council is in approaches to normalising this behavior and sustaining it when energy prices come down. This could include encouraging participants to identify benefits of behavioural changes – for example, walking to work may enable avoidance of traffic congestion, spending more time in outside physical activity may improve health.
4. Beneficiaries of the project
The World Café approach will benefit other local authorities looking to engage young people in council initiatives (not just limited to those focused on net zero as a theme), and the project team are preparing a ‘how to’ guide around utilising the technique for this purpose. The academics within project team are available to assist other local authorities in running/facilitating this type of event.
The findings will also help local authority departments focusing on community engagement, and in particular young people, on initiatives around net zero and climate change and on the way in which this is communicated to different community groups.
The level of engagement, particularly during the World Café events has demonstrated the potential for improved communication with local communities around energy, but in particular with a focus on opportunities for saving energy costs. The research has highlighted the importance of facilitating discussions around energy and associated costs/bills within households (and families).