Engaging Communities in Climate Action: A Transdisciplinary Approach (Energy, Climate and the Environment)

This book focuses on Dingle Peninsula 2030 – an awarding winning example of a transdisciplinary collaboration for sustainability. It provides many useful lessons for researchers and students seeking to build transdisciplinary partnerships for sustainability and climate action. The book follows the PhD journeys of two early career researchers from Energy Engineering and Sociology, working together with community partners, national bodies, and other groups on a regional development project. It outlines the institutional and practical challenges of doing such work and the story, successes, and trials of Dingle Peninsula 2030.

This book offers students and researchers an invaluable framework to consider when embarking on inter- or transdisciplinary collaborations. The book follows the authors’ PhD journeys, critically reflecting on the transdisciplinary approach taken, as well as outlining a practical guide for how to engage communities in climate action and sustainability issues.

Connor McGookin is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Systems Beings Lab and Clean Energy Research Centre at the University of British Columbia, Canada. His central research focus is to improve climate and energy planning processes by engaging key groups such as local governments and communities. He has published several papers on the topic of participatory energy system modelling, and currently sits on the scientific advisory team for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)’s Participatory Processes for Long-term Energy Scenario Development.

Evan Boyle is a Senior Postdoctoral researcher with the UCC Futures Sustainability Institute, University College Cork, Ireland. His research focuses on community engagement on energy transitions and transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability. Currently, his work contributes to urban climate policy by improving collaborative scientific and public service expertise in sustainable transitions centred on principles of justice, resilience, and community vibrancy. He is a member of the Sociological Association of Ireland, a working group leader on the COST Action SHiFT, and is a member of Ireland’s Just Transition Commission.