How can we maximise the potential of behavioural research to support our rural communities and the wider environment?
Background
Question Group: Focused on creating climate-resilient landscapes through optimised land use, and climate-positive landscapes through research to reduce emissions and enhance natural carbon sinks. Emphasises systems thinking and leveraging data, modelling, and decision-support tools to mitigate climate impacts, enhance land management, and manage pressures on water resources while promoting a just transition.
Sub-questions: -Which actions successfully promote the uptake of biodiversity improvements, such as tree planting, peatland restoration, sustainable and regenerative practices in agriculture and land use?
-What behavioural research exists in relation to environmental and climate focused behaviours in Scottish agriculture and land-use?
-What are the main motivators and barriers to adopting positive environment and climate behaviours among different demographic groups?
-How do social norms, identity, and community engagement influence environmental decision-making?
-What role do policy interventions (e.g. incentives, nudges, regulations) play in shaping sustainable behaviours?
-What are the key leverage points and moments of change within our agriculture and land-use systems?
-What behavioural strategies or tools can be used/ tailored to increase public engagement with climate action?
Next steps
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Source
This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:
Environment natural resources agriculture research strategy 2027 2032
Topics
Research fields
Related UKRI funded projects
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Policy and Practice for Environmental Change
The Rural Economy and Land Use (Relu) Programme is an unprecedented collaboration between ESRC, BBSRC and NERC. Running 2003 - 12 it has had a budget of £24m, with additional funding from Scottish Government and De...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: Newcastle University
Why might this be relevant?
Partially addresses the question by focusing on rural areas and land use, but does not specifically address behavioural research or climate action.
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Agroforestry Futures
UK nature-based solutions, such as tree planting, must engage with the agricultural sector, given that agriculture uses more than 70 per cent of the land in the UK and is a major emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Meeti...
Funded by: NERC
Lead research organisation: University of Southampton
Why might this be relevant?
Fully addresses the question by focusing on agroforestry practices, climate action, and engaging stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
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Environmental justice analysis to advance rural landscape transformations in the face of climate change
Climate change is forcing European countries to implement transformative changes to multiple sectors. Whilst energy and industrial production systems have dominated these agendas, there are also growing calls for transfo...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of East Anglia
Why might this be relevant?
Addresses societal dimensions of rural transformations and climate justice, relevant to environmental decision-making.