Communication on climate change in the Netherlands Greening of Industry, Cardiff, 2-5 July 2006 Dr. Judith E.M. Klostermann Wageningen University, The Netherlands

Contents: 1.Introduction CCSP programme 2.CCSP communication strategy 3.Assessing climate communication 4.Who are communicating? 5.Two arena’s 6.Knowledge levels and needs 7.Media preferences and processes 8.Conclusions: with whom and how?

1. Introduction CCSP programme “There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities” (IPCC, 2001) ‘Climate Changes Spatial Planning’ (CCSP): –Research relations between climate change and spatial planning –Eg. nature, agriculture, transport, water management , 40 million Euros, projects Goals –strengthen knowledge infrastructure on climate change –investigate possibilities for adaptation and mitigation –to involve as many stakeholders as possible

2. CCSP communication strategy C: General public Education B: Lower governments Business A. Scientists National governments NGO’s Figure 1: target groups of the CCSP programme

3. Assessing climate communication Assessment of climate communication in the Netherlands: Communication needs of the target groups Inventory of existing communication activities. Methods: –Internet scan –Interviews and questionnaires –Documents and magazines Two months

4. Who are communicating? Internet: hits with climate change Trustworthy sources of climate info Organizers of debate 1.NGO’s 2.Knowledge institutes 3.National govern- ments 1.Knowledge institutes (esp. KNMI) 2.National govern- ments 1.Knowledge institutes 2.National and other govern- ments 3.NGO’s

5. Two arena’s Knowledge institutes, ministries, politics, NGO’s Latest scientific results on climate change, including uncertainties Policy measures they may imply: adaptation to climate change, safety, flooding, and energy policy Not with citizens or private companies! Lower governments, citizens, companies, NGO’s and education Implementation of policy measures: wind energy, bioenergy, water projects, agriculture and which sites for building. Not about uncertainties Not with knowledge institutes!

Consequences of two arena’s: nobody discusses the uncertainties of climate change with citizens This may not be enough for the implementation of local measures Regional and local governments need to inform themselves on complete story including uncertainties

6. Knowledge: levels and needs Three knowledge levels: –scientific knowledge –professional knowledge –lay knowledge Available: sustainable energy, water adaptation Needs: adaptation (16), climate change as such (14), mitigation (11), other (11)

Information needs Often two or more themes, sometimes four themes (the whole story) Examples of questions: –How should institutional arrangements change in response to climate change? –What are the latest facts from climate research? –How can farmers adapt to heavy rainfall? –What climate policy is possible for production of electricity?

7. Media preferences and processes Paper media 23 Personal contact 19 Internet 19 Workshops and conferences 9 radio/TV 7 most of the respondents use many different media

Information processes Collection of in-depth information with a specific purpose Scientific reports and policy documents Strategic selection and exchange of information, including negotiations Personal contact, networking, workshops/ conferences Broad scanning of news to stay informed on a professional domain Newspapers, TV, trade journals, internet, newsletters

8. Conclusions: with whom and how? A-circle: Scientific institutions, national governments and NGO’s already strongly involved Need series of media, including articles and reports with in-depth information NGO’s sometimes have a problem with the accessibility of scientific information

Conclusions II B-circle: provincial governments, water boards, municipalities and private business: more difficult Not so interested in scientific facts Large differences in information levels Cooperate with national governments and umbrella organizations Personal contact will be one of the most important ways

Conclusions: C-circle C-circle: general public, education: will be even harder Large size of the groups and diversity Cooperate with KNMI, NGO’s and public media Educational institutions, pupils and students: not enough info