Research paper: High carbon lifestyles can undermine climate messaging

In new research written up in a commentary for The Conversation, the risk of political leaders’ high carbon lifestyles could undermine the credibility of the messages they convey on climate change. Whilst the research focuses specifically on political leaders, the same arguments apply to a wide range of individuals and organisations who deliver climate messages (including the climate movement itself).

“The public fully understand political leaders have tight schedules and their activities inevitably involve plenty of high-carbon activities such as air travel.

But people are also very sensitive to the details of each specific situation and alert to signals and behavioural cues from leaders. Context is crucial.

If our leaders are not perceived as fully committed, will they be able to take the public with them as the need for behaviour change becomes more and more pressing?”