Public understanding of “net zero” in Southampton
Public understanding of “net zero” in Southampton
Whilst the term “net zero” has become commonplace in global and national climate commitments, the general public’s understanding and engagement with the term is more limited. This brief explores how residents of Southampton perceive “net zero” language, highlighting barriers to effective communication and behaviour change. Residents in Southampton encounter several challenges in understanding and responding to “net zero” language. Confusion around its meaning, technical jargon, political associations, and questions of urgency and personal responsibility all contribute to limited engagement. Enhancing clarity and trust in climate messaging is vital for encouraging meaningful behaviour change.
Net Zero, Carbon, public engagement
Cannings, Laurence
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Collins, Rebecca
2ecdff66-29af-40e5-94aa-4750e6f3fe1b
Cole, Emily
dcbf7d47-c5ba-4b04-9881-55164dcaf4e0
16 December 2025
Cannings, Laurence
d41b8fad-ab5e-4fd2-b96b-8d96834e2e8a
Collins, Rebecca
2ecdff66-29af-40e5-94aa-4750e6f3fe1b
Cole, Emily
dcbf7d47-c5ba-4b04-9881-55164dcaf4e0
Cannings, Laurence, Collins, Rebecca, Cole, Emily and Fox, Ruby
(2025)
Public understanding of “net zero” in Southampton.
Abstract
Whilst the term “net zero” has become commonplace in global and national climate commitments, the general public’s understanding and engagement with the term is more limited. This brief explores how residents of Southampton perceive “net zero” language, highlighting barriers to effective communication and behaviour change. Residents in Southampton encounter several challenges in understanding and responding to “net zero” language. Confusion around its meaning, technical jargon, political associations, and questions of urgency and personal responsibility all contribute to limited engagement. Enhancing clarity and trust in climate messaging is vital for encouraging meaningful behaviour change.
Text
Policy Brief - Public Understanding of Net Zero in Southampton
- Other
More information
Published date: 16 December 2025
Keywords:
Net Zero, Carbon, public engagement
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 508647
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508647
PURE UUID: 75a87e64-cab3-4b75-857c-aaf6f00832bf
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Date deposited: 28 Jan 2026 18:07
Last modified: 31 Mar 2026 02:08
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