Citizens’ panel on public visions for climate change adaptation (Ipsos)

About this document

The Climate Change Committee (CCC), supported by Sciencewise, commissioned Ipsos to deliver a citizens’ panel to understand people’s concerns about climate change impacts in the UK and their priorities for adaptation. The panel consisted of 30 members of the public (reflective of the UK population) from Manchester and the surrounding area, as well as Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The panel covered the topics of overheating in homes, climate impacts on nature, climate impacts on transport, flooding of homes, and climate impacts on household utilities.

This report reflects the views of the citizens’ panel/Ipsos and does not represent the views of the CCC.

Watch this video from Ipsos to learn more.

Key messages

• Panel members saw effective adaptation as keeping the level of harm and disruption from climate impacts the same as today’s or slightly lower, despite a worsening climate.
• Panel members wanted adaptation to start now and be done ‘properly’. They stressed the importance of investing in long-term, preventative solutions rather than relying on short-term fixes or focusing solely on recovery.
• Levels of concern and investment appetite varied across different climate impacts. Interest tended to be higher where people had personal experience of impacts or felt less agency to adapt themselves. Flooding was seen as the most concerning impact, particularly for those directly affected, while transport impacts were viewed as significant because they affect everyone. These findings were likely influenced by the fact that most panel members were from the Greater Manchester area, where residents have more direct experience of flooding and its impacts than of overheating.
• Panel members felt government should prioritise support for vulnerable people (often identified as young children, older people, and people with health conditions) and those on low incomes.

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