Researchers from RSU organise discussion ‘Why Aren’t We Talking About Climate Change?’

The Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) research project ‘From indifference to making difference in climate policy: improving the interaction between political narrative and societal perceptions in Latvia’ shows that a quarter of the Latvian population has not heard of Latvia’s climate policy. In the final discussion of the project held on 11 December at the EU House in Riga, RSU researchers, together with the Minister for Climate and Energy, representatives of the media, business and environmental organisations, explored approaches to address climate change in Latvia. The event was also broadcast live. 

A discussion with industry and media representatives highlighted the importance of developing a strategic climate change narrative. This narrative should underline the impacts of climate change in Latvia, involve different groups in society and promote concrete models of action to mitigate climate change.

How can a narrative on climate change that reflects Latvia's situation, integrates different perspectives, and offers targeted solutions while respecting Latvia's international commitments be created? The RSU researchers had invited Kaspars Melnis, Minister for Climate and Energy of the Republic of Latvia, Marta Cerava, the editor-in-chief of the public media portal LSM.lv, Jānis Brizga, an environmental scientist and head of the organisation Green Liberty (Zaļā brīvība), and Toms Auškāps, a member of the board and director of communications and development at JSC Balticovo, to discuss these questions at the presentation of the project’s results.

Unclear and fragmented climate change narrative 

The study was carried out at four levels - politics, media, business and society - to analyse how the climate change narrative is shaped and how it overlaps between these levels. The main conclusion is that the climate change narrative in Latvia is unclear and fragmented. Discussions focus mainly on individual aspects of climate policy and are raised in response to specific events, rather than as part of a comprehensive and long-term strategy.

Vineta Kleinberga, project manager and a researcher from the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences, describes the results: 'In Latvia, the climate change narrative focuses on EU regulations and Latvia's obligation to participate in its implementation.

It is EU regulations - whether they are considered over-ambitious or, on the contrary, under-implemented - that create conflict in the climate change debate in Latvia.

The "plot" of the story develops around whether sufficient funding is available to implement the regulations, whether they are appropriate for the local Latvian situation, and whether a balanced and fair approach is ensured. Overall, the narrative reflects a technocratic process that is well understood by civil servants but fails to stimulate public interest.’  

Other narratives are also being developed at different levels. For example, in the business environment, the dominant narrative is about corporate social responsibility suggesting that sustainable practices are becoming essential for competitiveness. In the media environment, climate change is seen as a convenient slogan for politicians to manipulate, or as a global problem that requires international cooperation, leaving Latvia as a passive participant. Narratives about the costs and benefits of the European Green Deal and the role that young people and local authorities play in tackling climate issues are also on the public agenda. 

Technical and unappealing climate communication 

The interviews also revealed that climate change is not perceived as an urgent issue in Latvia compared to others, mainly security and the economy. Although climate change is perceived as a phenomenon that can be observed globally, its impact on Latvia is currently not considered critical. The interviewed professionals acknowledge that climate communication in Latvia lacks clear leadership, that it is technical and fails to address the public and is poorly adapted to Latvia's specific situation and challenges. This hinders effective dialogue and public engagement in climate issues.   

The results of the study have been published in several scientific articles. More information on the conclusions of the project ‘From indifference to making difference in climate policy: improving the interaction between political narrative and societal perceptions in Latvia’ can be found in the research report and in guidelines for improving the strategic narrative on climate change in Latvia.