During the first half of the project, the team has focused on: (1) reviewing existing literatures; and (2) amalgamating and cross-checking existing data sources.
With respect to (1), WP1 has produced several state-of-the-art review papers. One of them built bridges between literatures to define new research priorities. Published in the Nature journal npj Climate Action, it has been downloaded over 6,000 times. More are planned.
WP1 also organised a workshop in Mannheim, Germany, which brought together international experts on climate policy and politics. The papers are being prepared for publication in a Special Issue of the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis. Another external expert workshop is planned for 2024-5.
With respect to (2), WP2 has combed through existing policy datasets. To understand how politicians speak about climate change, WP3 has collected parliamentary data in 4 countries (Canada, Germany, South Africa and UK) over at least two consecutive legislative periods.
Existing data has also been re-assembled into new datasets. One of them on policy covers the period 1946-2020 and most countries of the world; another focuses on the world’s biggest emitters. All policy datasets are in an easy-to-use format and include codebooks. Statistical analysis will occur during the second half of the project.
Finally, existing datasets on public opinion have been identified and reviewed (WP3-4), e.g. the European Social Survey, and the EU (Eurobarometer, climate ambassadors). Some of this work has informed the writing of academic papers.
In summary, the six deliverables associated with this work have been successfully delivered on schedule.
In the second half of the project, the tasks will become considerably more challenging as the emphasis shifts towards collecting and analysing fresh data. For example, researchers are currently in the field undertaking elite interviews with MPs in the UK and Germany. Surveys are also being fielded with MPs in both countries. Original data collection on publics views is about to start in five countries (Great Britain, Germany, Canada, Chile, South Africa), following a procurement process. Planning for focus groups with publics in Germany and the UK will commence in 2024.
