Net Zero Task Force

The Task Force

A group of ten social scientists, leading experts in environmental and climate change from geography, psychology, anthropology, sociology, politics and medicine were tasked with providing evidence for effective policymaking. The task force ran between April 2023 and March 2024.

The Task Force approach

This policy advice report is based on the outputs of a dialogue between task force members around:
A focused review of social science perspectives on societal change, reflecting the diverse expertise
of task force members. [Annex 1]
Analysis of the UK Net Zero and Innovation Framework (DESNZ, 2021) and associated Delivery Plan
2022-25 (DESNZ) and the Net Zero Society: Scenarios and Pathways Report (Go-Science, 2023)
[Annex 2]
Analysis of selected case studies of past and ongoing societal change and transition, both successful and
more problematic, that offer lessons for net zero policy [Annex 3].

The task force aimed to determine what the dynamics of change are and how policy can target or align interventions, and the sorts of policy levers that can most effectively support change. Providing evidence for effective Net Zero policymaking, as well as a clear understanding of how historical perspectives can inform policy.”

Karen Bickerstaff, Net Zero Lead

This is in step with the government’s Chief Scientist, Angela McLean, who recently told the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee that, looking at the National Risk Register, she would focus on the risks on which scientific input could have the “most impact”. She was interested in combining resources across diverse disciplines from inside and outside government, as the UK needs natural science, behavioural science and data science to plan for risks.

Karen Bickerstaff talks about why social science perspectives are essential to securing rapid societal change for a net zero UK

Who is in the Task force?

Professor Karen Bickerstaff (Chair, University of Exeter, Geography)
Professor Simone Abram (University of Durham, Anthropology)
Pete Bailey (Environment Agency – provided scientific and technical input to the task force)
Ian Christie (University of Surrey, Social Science of Sustainable Development)
Katherine Dow (Environment Agency – provided scientific and technical input to the task force)

Professor Patrick Devine-Wright (Exeter, Geography – ACCESS Director
Professor Steve Hinchliffe (University of Exeter, Geography)
Dr Alice Moseley (University of Exeter, Politics)
Dr Emma Pitchforth (University of Exeter, Medical School)
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh (University of Bath, Psychology)
Professor Gordon Walker (University of Lancaster, Geography)

The report

Summary Report

Summary
Infographic
Key Recommendations
Key steps

Full report

Key Steps & Infographic
Key Recommendations
References
Annex 1 – Perspectives on Societal Change
Annex 2 – Policy Document Analysis
Annex 3 – Case Studies of Societal Change
Glossary

The Citizens’ Survey

ACCESS academics from the Universities of Exeter and Bath conducted a survey of almost 3,000 people just before the UK general election in July 2024 as part of the Net Zero Task Force project.

The survey sought to understand views on climate change, net zero targets and climate action within the UK as a whole and to compare public opinion across the devolved nations.

The Citizens’ Survey Report

Alice Moseley, Jenny Hatchard, Haruka Katsuyama and Patrick Devine-Wright (University of Exeter) and Lorraine Whitmarsh (University of Bath) published a report of the survey’s findings in April 2025.

Full report

Report Highlights
Key Findings
Methods and Sample
Results
Recommendations
Annex 1 – Respondent Characteristics
Annex 2 – Qualitative Theme Descriptions
Annex 3 – Survey Questions

ACCESS Task Forces will be an annual or bi-annual initiative, bringing together world-leading social science expertise to focus on crucial and challenging policy areas. Each one will be on a different topic related to the environment.