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The municipal experts focus on technical risks

The researchers have examined how municipalities address risks related to climate change and what role they believe citizens should play. The results show that municipal officials primarily focus on technical risks and consider these not to require direct involvement from citizens.

Staff working in municipal departments for safety, environment, and emergency preparedness are key actors in local risk communication. For this reason, the researchers investigated how these civil servants perceive risks and risk communication.

The research shows that technical risks are placed at the top of the priority list, and that officials generally do not believe citizens need to be directly involved. However, they do consider that citizens have a responsibility to be prepared and to take measures to protect their homes and property without relying solely on municipal resources.

As a result, risk communication tends to focus on educating and informing citizens in various ways. The researchers highlight a concern that municipalities may overestimate the effectiveness of such communication – that simply providing information is not enough to change behaviour or significantly improve citizen preparedness. To engage people meaningfully in climate preparedness, it is important to understand what motivates them.

The researchers also emphasize that, although technical solutions may exist for some climate-related risks, involving citizens in planning is essential for building more resilient communities. The challenge, therefore, is not just about communication – it is also about inviting meaningful public participation.

Rabe, L. och Lidskog, R. (2024). Planning and Perceptions: Exploring Municipal Officials’ Views on Residents’ Climate Preparedness. Sustainability 2024, 16, 4698. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114698.

For more information contact: Rolf Lidskog: rolf.lidskog@oru.se