Behavioural science in the context of climate change at its related health risks has mainly focused on understanding and changing individual behaviours. However, effectively addressing the climate crisis requires broadening the focus on systemic societal change. This level of change is required to mitigate the negative effects of climate change as well as help people adapt to the associated (health) risks. Fostering systemic societal change requires situation-specific, large-scale data that can help identify the relevant areas for policymaking and communication in the green transition. Such behavioral data can help scientists and policymakers understand public perceptions and behaviors, as well as identify the levers to increase public readiness to act (RTA) against climate change. The Planetary Health Action Survey (PACE) explores readiness to act, integrating individual behavior, policy acceptance, and political participation as its key indicators. In addition, it identifies determinants of readiness to act (risk perception, trust, social norms, perceived response accuracy, self-efficacy, knowledge). The ongoing survey seeks to develop and refine an integrated conceptual model of readiness to act, create valid corresponding measurement instruments, and implement them in monitoring.
PACE monitors knowledge, risk perception, trust, attitudes and behavior in the context of climate change and climate protection. It’s infrastructure also allows for randomized control trials (large-scale online experiments) of, e.g., climate communication formats and strategies. Past studies have covered policy areas including, carbon taxation, meat tax, heat protection, carbon capturing and storage.
Generally, PACE contributes to a comprehensive understanding of tackling climate change and related health risks by considering the different facets relevant to societal change. In addition, it allows for observing changes over time and adjustments to the readiness to act model, as well as including current topics and debates (e.g., on carbon capturing and storage or civil disobedience as a form of protest). It provides a broad foundation for future climate and crisis communication. PACE contributes to informing climate change communication, policymaking, and interventions by providing insights into the multi dimensional factors influencing readiness to act against climate change.