Climate change and humans (CLIMATE)

The Research Programme will seek solutions to how people can make and implement their choices related to mitigating or adapting to climate change and how society can facilitate this choice-making in a sustainable and equitable manner.

Climate change is challenging everyone: new modes of management and capacities to prepare for an uncertain future are needed not only at the level of individuals, but also communities, business companies and society as a whole. The impacts of climate change vary from individuals to communities and from the local to the global level. Individuals are often left with a sense of uncertainty and frustration because it is difficult for them to understand the effects of their choices. This makes it harder to know how to respond to climate change and to try and find ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It is crucial therefore that the measures adopted are also considered in view of their social acceptability and the requirements of global fairness.

Research projects involved in the programme will seek concrete ways of supporting various actors in society in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change through the new information generated in the research, through technological innovations for new uses of natural resources and other solutions, as well as through new policies. In particular, research is called for that explores individual decision-making and that can help to steer behaviour. Different levels can be integrated by means of lifecycle assessments of high-footprint consumption and systems analysis, for instance.

Mitigating and adapting to climate change requires both a short-term and long-term view and recognition of cross-generational effects. Apart from addressing the question of how to mitigate and manage climate change and associated processes, it is also necessary to prepare for worse-than-projected outcomes and for potential societal disruption.

The commitment of researchers and other involved partners to the principles of inclusive co-creation must be universally reflected in all projects, from the earliest stages of project planning and goal setting. It is crucial that in all its interactions the research maintains an open, inclusive and responsive relationship with the surrounding society and its many and diverse actors.

Projects:

Individuals, communities and municipalities mitigating climate change by carbon smart green space (CO-CARBON)

Consortium PI: Leena Järvi, University of Helsinki
Responsible for interaction activities: Elina Alatalo, Aalto University

Consortium composition: University of Helsinki, University of Copenhagen, Aalto University, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Häme University of Applied Sciences

Leaving No One Lost in Transition: Citizens and the Legitimacy of Finland’s Transition to a Carbon Neutral Welfare State (2035Legitimacy)

Consortium PI: Kati Kulovesi, University of Eastern Finland
Responsible for interaction activities: Vilja Johansson, University of Eastern Finland

Consortium composition: University of Eastern Finland, Finnish Environment Institute, University of Jyväskylä, VATT Institute for Economic Research, Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Helsinki

Nudging for climate: Using behavioral sciences for steering communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fortify carbon sinks (CLIMATE-NUDGE)

Consortium PI: Paula Salo, University of Turku
Responsible for interaction activities: Kaarina Wilskman, Institute for Health and Welfare

Consortium composition: University of Turku, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Institute for Health and Welfare, University of Eastern Finland, Pellervo Economic Research PTT, Finnish Environment Institute

Citizens as agents of change in decarbonizing suburban and rural housing (Decarbon-Home)

Consortium PI: Anne Toppinen, University of Helsinki
Responsible for interaction activities: Uula Saastamoinen, Finnish Environment Institute

Consortium composition: University of Helsinki, Finnish Environment Institute, Natural Resources Institute Finland, University of Vaasa, Tallinn University of Technology