Integrating top-down and bottom-up  perspectives on the role of communities  in contributing to meeting national  climate change objectives

Despite previous reductions, greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland are predicted to continue to increase above current levels for the next 20 years. The benefit of mobilising community action in addressing climate change action has already been seen in many European countries. While Irish governmental policy envisions a low carbon economy with necessary greater community involvement in energy projects and other efforts, little progress has been made in encouraging or supporting such action. This study contributes in aligning long-term climate change policy to the preferred future vision of communities in bringing about such a transition.

This research applied stakeholder theory to examine the perspectives of bottom-up and top-down stakeholders in community scale climate-related actions. Irish communities that have successfully implemented climate-related actions development goals were examined in terms of their motivation, attitudes, perceived barriers and opportunities for continued action. Case studies were then used to examine community scale climate-related action in practice. How these actions relate to particular local contexts, engagement, and lessons that may be learned were analysed using a strategic niche management framework. Building on this, the third research study applied an innovative futures approach to construct the necessary steps to achieve transformative societal change.

From analysis of information collected, policies that block progress were highlighted to identify more effective support mechanisms, which encourage partnerships between communities and stakeholders. This will result in bringing together bottom-up actions and top-down strategies to advance national climate change objectives.