TICA Project

Scotland’s successful transition to Net Zero requires inclusive public engagement with its increasingly diverse population, particularly its growing ethnic minority communities. Yet the current Scottish Government Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change (2021) largely overlooks the practical application of ethnic and cultural dimensions in promoting public engagement. 

This oversight is deeply concerning and demands urgent attention, due to,1) the ethnic minority population represents a significant social force that can meaningfully influence efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change; 2) without effective engagement and targeted intervention, ethnic minorities are more likely to be exposed to adverse impacts arising from the direct consequences of climate change and environmental degradation (Berberian et al., 2022; Race Equality Foundation, 2023), as well as from the indirect effects of unjust climate transition processes, which intersect with complex social, political and economic factors (Carter et al., 2013; Kloek et al., 2018; Lovelock et al., 2013; Ogunbode et al., 2022). 

The project Towards Inclusive Climate Action (TICA): Understanding and Promoting Ethnic Minority Communities’ Public Engagement in Scotland’s Net Zero Transition is funded jointly by the British Academy ECRN Seed Fund 25/26 and Edinburgh Napier University School of Applied Science Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Fund 25/26. It addresses the lack of understanding, practical strategies, and interventions for promoting ethnic minorities’ public engagement in Scotland’s Net Zero transition. By working with community organisations, local/central governments, and academics across Scotland, through an integrated two-step approach (Step-One: a collaborative networking event; Step-Two: three participatory drama workshops), and it aims to: 

• 1) establish a sustained and collaborative network of key Scottish stakeholders to support the future public engagement of ethnic minorities in climate and environmental initiatives;  

• 2) develop a better understanding of the current landscape of Scottish ethnic minorities’ engagement in climate and environmental action, to identify research gaps and inform the future research agenda on ethnic climate action in Scotland and beyond. 

• 3) Ultimately, pave the way for Scotland to become a leader in practicing inclusive public engagement on climate and environmental issues, thereby facilitating its successful transition to Net Zero