Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy Futures in Britain, 2010 is a nationally representative survey of Great Britain which examines perceptions and cognitions relating to climate change and the energy future of Britain. The survey aimed to examine how these perceptions have changed since previous evaluations but also has a theoretical goal of examining how context influences perceptions. Context was examined in a number of ways including how location impacts peoples’ perceptions. For example, does having personal experience of the recent flooding change beliefs? Also the significance of whether people consider climate change and energy issues in terms of themselves personally or in terms of society as a whole was explored, as well as how awareness of other issues such as energy security influences perceptions.

The survey also involved a local sample which was collected in two power generation locations (East Aberthaw in Wales, and Hinkley Point in Somerset). In addition, over sampling in Scotland and Wales allows statistical comparisons to be made between these and the England results.

Further information is available from the Understanding Risk research group web site and the ESRC Award web page.


Main Topics:

The following four main areas are investigated:

• perceptions of climate change and energy futures
• how the framework of climate change and security of supply have impacted on perceptions of energy futures
• how personal individual differences influence how information is received and processed
• how local environments and proximity to energy sources impact perceptions