26Aug 2020
CEP to deliver a new EEA project on transformations of socio-ecological systems

CEP has been awarded a new EEA project to take stock of the knowledge base in the field of transformations of socio-ecological systems of relevance for EU policy making

Collingwood Environmental Planning has been commissioned by the European Environment Agency (EEA) to conduct a literature review to take stock of the most recent findings on ‘transformations of socio-ecological systems’ of relevance for EU policy making. CEP will be working in partnership with cChange.   

This new project has been awarded under the CEP-led framework service contract for the EEA which provides assistance on forward-looking analysis, sustainability assessments and systemic transitions.  

Transformations in socio-ecological systems can be understood as an umbrella term for more specific and actionable concepts, approaches and solutions-oriented knowledge related to sustainability transitions. Over the coming years, as part of work to build the knowledge base for the next European Environment State and Outlook Report (SOER, 2025), the EEA would like to develop the evidence base related to transformations in socio-ecological systems, with a focus on its use in policy-relevant assessments.  

The project will focus on assisting the EEA to strengthen its understanding related to solutions-oriented knowledge on aspects such as ecological resilience, nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, ecosystem-based management, and social justice.  Within these areas, the stock taking will focus on: 

  • improving the conceptual understanding of these concepts and approaches; 

  • practical evidence, including case studies, on the application and implementation of the specific concepts; and,  

  • potential implications for policy and governance in dealing with sustainability transformations. 

For more information please contact CEP’s Owen White (Technical Director) or Spela Kolaric (Senior Consultant) for more information.   

Team CEP
13Aug 2020
CEP have completed a series of virtual focus groups and interviews on youth environmental leadership

This stage of research has been successfully completed as part of the Our Bright Future programme evaluation.

CEP have been carrying out a series of online focus groups and interviews as part of a thematic study on youth environmental leadership. The study is part of the evaluation of the Our Bright Future programme currently being carried out by CEP and partners ERS, on behalf of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

The overall objective of the focus groups and interviews was to better understand to what extent, and in what ways, being involved in Our Bright Future projects has empowered young people and equipped them to be active environmental citizens, and should they choose, environmental leaders.

In light of the global pandemic, we have been using Zoom video conferencing technology to carry out research that would normally be done face-to-face. The focus groups were designed using interactive software and break-out sessions, with an agenda designed to maximise engagement in an online setting. A total of three virtual focus groups, each with six participants from across three selected case study OBF programmes have now been successfully completed, along with a series of individual video interviews with 11 OBF participants from a wider selection of projects, and six project staff. 

We are now entering the analysis stage of this research and plan to include participating young people in this analysis and review of the final report.

For more information about the project please contact Owen White (technical director) or Rebecca Jones (consultant).

Team CEP
3Aug 2020
CEP to deliver a new NE project on Behaviour Change

CEP has been awarded a new project to assist Natural England to understand the behaviours of recreational boaters

CEP, in partnership with the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, has been commissioned by Natural England to undertake a new project to understand the behaviours of recreational boaters with regards to anchoring and mooring in Seagrass.

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LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES (LIFE18 NAT/UK/000039) Reducing and Mitigating Erosion and Disturbance Impacts affecting the Seabed.

Action C1: Changing Stakeholder Behaviour Project

The project is part of the wider project LIFE Recreation Reducing and Mitigating Erosion and Disturbance Impacts affecting the Seabed (ReMEDIES) to improve the condition of marine habitats of European importance.

The overall aims of the Behaviour Change Project are to develop a clearer understanding of the behaviours of recreational boaters in relation to anchoring and mooring in seagrass in two pilot sites, to facilitate the design and development of interventions to address any issues uncovered, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions in order to achieve measurable behavioural changes that can lead, in the long term, to positive biodiversity outcomes.

The project focuses on two Special Areas of Conservation: Plymouth Sound & Estuaries and Solent Maritime – Isle of Wight.

Through this project, we will conduct a review of existing evidence and undertake new research with members of the local recreational boating community to further explore and understand the behavioural context. We will develop and test methods for changing behaviours and grow understanding of what works, using behavioural insights, to encourage more responsible boating behaviours, and we will disseminate learning to other sites.

The project commenced in June 2020 and is expected to end in January 2022. 

For more information, please contact Dr Clare Twigger-Ross (Technical Director, CEP) or Dr Sian Morse-Jones (Principal Consultant, CEP).

Team CEP