Net Zero Societal Change Evidence and Analysis

Project summary: Significant societal change is required in order to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the UK by 2050. For example, the CCC estimate that the majority (62%) of emission reductions will require some form of behaviour change . The key to achieving a net zero society will be a move away from thinking about discreet low-carbon behaviours but rather thinking about system-wide approaches and how multifaceted social shifts can be embedded into everyday life . To date, much analytical focus of net zero has centred upon technical and economic analysis. There is a clear need to add to this with a comprehensive piece of work focusing on the societal dimensions of net zero. This includes understanding the implications of net zero for people, the importance of societal change in reaching net zero and how we best facilitate relevant societal change. Whilst being procured by BEIS, this project is being carried in conjunction with a number of government departments and is anticipated to be project managed by Defra and BEIS. The specific objectives this commission is looking to address are: • Objective 1: Holistically setting out the possible implications of net zero for people. • Objective 2: Identifying and assessing how different levels of societal change/responsiveness can affect the feasibility and costs/benefits of transitioning to net zero. • Objective 3: Identifying how, and where, cross-cutting interventions could be implemented to support the societal change necessary for net zero. There are many ways the objectives and research questions within the work packages of this project could be met, and so we will strongly encourage innovative thinking from bidders as to how best to deliver this work.