Impact Assessment project gets underway

Monday 20th June, 2016

Climate UK is working with the University of Manchester on a new project that will assess the impact of the Climate Just website and map tool, which enables public service providers to understand who is most socially vulnerable to climate change, where they are, why and what can be done to make a difference.

The project runs from June to December 2016 and is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council via the University's Impact Accelaration Account. Most of the content and maps for Climate Just were created by the University of Manchester on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which Climate UK subsequently converted into a working web tool.

Extensive user engagement has taken place over the last two years to introduce people to the tool and train them in how to use it. Over 300 people have participated in one or more events accordingly. Significant numbers of people have also visited the tool online - over 19,000 in total by June 2016.

The impact assessment project aims to understand to what extent the tool has been used in practice by the intended target audience to inform their work and address issues of climate disadvantage. It will also look at the barriers to use and identify what improvements could be made in the short term, what further support may be needed and what additional research may be required to develop significant new content.