Presented by in two parts by David Foord, Associate Professor; Alex Dandridge, PhD Candidate; and Jeevith Palani, MBA Thesis Candidate of UNB
Associate Professor David Foord of the University of New Brunswick will lead this webinar, presenting two sets of reports from participants in our research project titled, "Characterizing barriers to and opportunities for achieving pro-climate behaviours in Atlantic Canada."
The first research presentation by Alex Dandridge will share an identification of expert and citizen interventions envisioned to shape low-carbon behaviour change, including impacts or effects on vulnerable and historically marginalized populations. The second presentation by Jeevith Palani explains an investigation of the application of Agent-Based Models (ABMs) in supporting and guiding decarbonization efforts in the transportation sector across North America, with a focus on how these models are being utilized or could be utilized to simulate and influence policy decisions.
The two presentations will be delivered during the first 30 minutes of the session, followed by 15 minutes of previously prepared questions, and 15 minutes for questions from the audience.
WATCH THE WEBINAR RECORDING ON VIMEO.
More about the presentations
Presentation 1: Public Policy Enablers of Civic Behaviour Change to Reduce GHGs
By Alex Dandridge, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of New Brunswick
This research explores public policy-based enablers of civic behaviour change to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, focusing on transportation, energy and infrastructure interventions. The research addresses gaps in literatures on city planning, sociotechnical transitions, imaginaries, marketing and behavioural science. In the study we gathered qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with experts (city councillors, policymakers, marketers and other government staff familiar with citizen programs related to pro-climate behaviours) and surveys with citizens to identify visions of net zero pathways for the City of Fredericton. The presentation identifies expert and citizen interventions envisioned to shape low-carbon behaviour change, including impacts or effects on vulnerable and historically marginalized populations.
Presentation 2: Use of Agent-Based Models for Decarbonization in Civic Transportation
by Jeevith Palani, MBA Thesis Candidate, Faculty of Management, University of New Brunswick
This research investigates the application of Agent-Based Models (ABMs) in supporting and guiding decarbonization efforts in the transportation sector across North America, with a focus on how these models are being utilized or could be utilized to simulate and influence policy decisions. The study aims to explore the role of ABMs in designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions that promote sustainable transportation and contribute to achieving net-zero emissions. Representatives from government agencies and other relevant stakeholders were interviewed to provide insights into their experiences with ABMs and the potential impact these models can have on transportation planning and policy. The research findings contribute to our understanding how ABMs can be leveraged to enhance decarbonization efforts in the transportation sector and inform future research and policy development in North America.
About the presenters
David Foord is an associate professor in the faculty of management at the University of New Brunswick. He has published histories of prosthetics, electric power and carbon black industries as well as social studies of science, technology, innovation and public policy.
Alex Dandridge is an Interdisciplinary PhD student at the University of New Brunswick. With a background in management, she has a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University and an MBA from the University of New Brunswick. Her research interests bridge the gap between sustainability, energy transitions and marketing and management practices. Her master’s thesis considered the importance of partnerships to the success of electric utility energy efficiency programs in Canada and the US, and in her current role as a research assistant at UNB, she is particularly interested in identifying visions of net zero pathways held by policymakers and citizens in the City of Fredericton.
Jeevitha Palani is an MBA student at the University of New Brunswick, originally from India. With a strong background in economics and behavioral research, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Economics, and Sociology, and a Master of Arts in Applied Economics from Christ University. Her research interests focus on the intersection of human behaviour, climate change, and energy transitions. Her master’s thesis examined online consumption behaviour across demographic groups, while her undergraduate research explored the effect of social dominance orientation on academic achievement in females. Currently, as a Graduate Student Research Associate at Net Zero Atlantic, Jeevitha’s work centers on identifying barriers and opportunities for achieving pro-climate behaviours in the transportation sector in Atlantic Canada. She conducts mixed-methods research, including literature reviews, surveys, and interviews, to assess the transportation sector's role in decarbonization. Jeevitha is particularly interested in how behavioural insights can inform the design of interventions that support the region's transition to net-zero emissions.
Support for this webinar
To support the mandate of Canada's Net-Zero Advisory Body related to research, this webinar is a part of "Characterizing barriers to and opportunities for achieving pro-climate behaviours in Atlantic Canada," a project undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada. Funding was provided through the Environmental Damages Fund’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund, administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada.