Partners and International Organizations
(English)
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TU Darmstadt (D), JRC (I), CSEC (UK), IESA (E),
SEI (S), NTUA (EL), PIK (D), IIASA (A), RMC (UK)
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Abstract
(English)
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The main task of ULYSSES has been to develop a methodology opening new channels of communication between practitioners and users of environmental science, especially citizens. The special approach of ULYSSES for this was to develop 'IA-Focus Group' procedures allowing interfaces between expert computer models and lay participants in focus group discussions. Together with ULYSSES partners in other European countries, the EAWAG team designed these 'IA-Focus Group' procedures, conducted IA-Focus Groups with citizens and workshops with specific stakeholders, and analysed the results.
The groups were organised in collaboration with the Swiss CLEAR project. Fourteen IA-Focus Groups of five sessions each were conducted, involving 90 citizens overall. Of these, four groups used the same computer models as most other ULYSSES research regions, while ten used models especially designed for lay interaction in the Swiss CLEAR project. As a preparation, 15 pilot groups had been run in the first project phase, involving 92 citizens. In addition, 6 more five-shot focus groups, involving 42 citizens, were conducted with the specific aim of further developing methods for LA 21 processes. Furthermore, a Regional Policy Panel was conducted in Basel, and two policy exercises on the role of venture capital in climate policy were organised.
Results were analysed in comparison with project work in six other European countries. They include the following. On the methodological side, we found that it is feasible to use computer models for supporting citizen deliberation, given certain conditions. On the substantive side, our findings indicate that a strong reduction of energy use in the next decades is seen as preferable to a scenario of continuing current trends. This is linked to the possibility of establishing more energy-efficient infrastructures, especially in traffic and urban development. Citizens participating in our groups were concerned with geophysical, ecological and health impacts of climate change. Economic impacts of climate change were usually not mentioned, but economic considerations were important in discussing mitigation options. Results from policy exercises on venture capital and climate policy indicate that restructuring tax exemptions could be at least as important as carbon taxes for boosting ecological investment.
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