The Climate Impact Coping Typology, developed within the Horizon Europe project KNOWING, describes different behavioural groups of people who react differently to climate change and corresponding protection and adaptation measures. This typology was developed to better understand the reactions of the population and to develop suitable strategies that specifically address different population groups.
Benefits of the Coping Typology:
Knowledge of the prevailing types of coping in a region enables regional planners to develop customised measures that address the specific needs and concerns of the population. This leads to a higher level of acceptance and support among the population, which significantly improves the feasibility of climate adaptation strategies and communication.
For example, regions with large groups of Concerned Compliers and Doubting Distressed individuals should combine communication strategies focusing on how measures would benefit the citizens and on hands-on practical advice for increasing self-efficacy. Regions with a dominance of Beneficent Believers and Emphatic Engagers should put more focus on highlighting the improvement of social justice and on acknowledging positive engagement.
Transnational survey on climate typology profiles:
As part of the KNOWING project, a comprehensive transnational survey was conducted to analyse the various behavioural patterns of the population in dealing with climate change. The study involved around 6,000 participants from seven countries: -Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Estonia and Vietnam . The aim was to identify individual attitudes and behaviour in connection with climate protection and adaptation.
A central element of the study was the extraction of 12 specific questions, which proved to be particularly meaningful and made it possible to categorise the respondents into different Coping Typology Profiles. These profiles help to better understand people’s behaviour and willingness to take climate protection measures. As part of our commitment, KNOWING offers interested parties to use this scientifically based set of questions to gain customised insights and derive individual recommendations for action. This supports both the strategic planning of climate protection measures and a targeted approach to different population groups.
What is KNOWING:
KNOWING analyses the interaction of climate measures and helps to identify the most suitable actions. We are a Horizon Europe project in six European countries, working with demonstrator regions in the fields of „Heat waves & health“, „Soil fertility & agriculture“, and „Flooding & infrastructure“ (including river and coastal flooding). KNOWING involves authorities, stakeholders and citizens to develop enhanced activation and empowerment services, providing target-group-specific awareness, education and decision support tools to improve the comprehensibility of complex interrelations and support strategic planning of combined adaptation and mitigation measures.
Contact:
For more information in the Climate Impact Typology or the work of KNOWING in general, please contact:
Coordinator:
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Kristin Tovaas
projectoffice@knowing-climate.eu
