Climate communications and engagement best practice

This report defines climate engagement, differentiates it from communications, and sets out democratic principles, methods, and frameworks. It offers practical advice on messaging and embedding public engagement in organisations, forming a baseline for public sector professionals to enhance their climate and Net Zero communications and public engagement.

Net Zero Go says:

This document is valuable for local authorities because it emphasises the importance of actively involving residents in climate decision‑making. It highlights how meaningful engagement, where communities share insights, experiences, and priorities, can lead to more informed and locally relevant policies.

By promoting two-way dialogue, the guidance helps authorities build trust, include underrepresented voices, and co-produce solutions with the public.

Climate communications and engagement best practice

This report provides a clear and practical baseline for climate and Net Zero communications and public engagement. It explains why effective public engagement is essential to delivering successful climate action, and how it differs from one way communications.

The report outlines principles of fair and collaborative engagement, reviews common engagement methods, and introduces frameworks to support planning, delivery, and evaluation. It also offers guidance on crafting clear, locally relevant climate messages and storytelling approaches that connect climate action to people’s priorities and lived experience.

Designed for public sector professionals working on climate, Net Zero, engagement, or communications, this baseline report supports officers to build confident, inclusive, and effective engagement practices. It helps practitioners understand when and how to use different engagement approaches, integrate engagement into organisational processes, and develop messages that build trust, resonate locally, and support delivery of Net Zero policies, programmes, and projects.

About the guidance

The North West Net Zero Hub’s paper, Establishing a climate communications and engagement baseline for public bodies, provides:

A definition of engagement and communications – and how they differ.
An overview of what good climate engagement looks like in practice.
Principles for designing democratic, fair, and collaborative engagement.
A review of methods (surveys, deliberative workshops, assemblies, community panels, etc.)
How to choose the right engagement mechanism for your objectives.
Frameworks to help you plan, deliver, and evaluate engagement activities.
Insights on crafting effective, locally relevant climate messages.
Approaches for storytelling, communicating benefits, and reaching different audiences.
Practical advice on integrating public engagement into organisational processes.

This baseline is designed as a starting point for public bodies and will inform the development of more detailed, targeted guidance for sectors, communities, and technologies over time.

Climate communications and engagement best practice

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Climate communications and engagement best practice

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