A talk by TIHR staff exploring how we apply Tavistock social science to our environmental work.

The Tavistock Institute has been working with environmentally focused projects for some years. For example, evaluations of projects for improving sustainability in the European clothing industry and the de-carbonisation of heating in Wales and England. But, in the face of the growing climate emergency, we want to increase our engagement. Damaging and potentially irreversible climate change is already significant in individual, organisational, political and community consciousness and the manifold impact of COVID-19 has propelled it to the forefront. In the face of this what role and tasks should the Tavistock Institute embrace?

So, why should the Tavistock Institute take climate change seriously?

• To make our best, even if small, contribution to safeguarding the world for all.
• To help raise awareness for the need for action amongst our clients, associates, anyone, reading our website etc.
• So we can undertake environment-related research, evaluation and consultancy work, safe knowing that we are taking whatever steps we can, to address these issues ourselves.
• To increase understanding of climate change denial (conscious and unconscious) and what it takes to address this at an individual, organisation and cultural level. This would involve, amongst other things, reflecting on what happens to ourselves, and within our own organisation, as we seek to increase our understanding and implement policies and practices to address climate change.

In this talk we look at examples of how we apply Tavistock social science to our environmental work and discuss questions such as:

• How do we integrate our environmental concerns into our working lives?
• How do we make this a permanent and growing conversation with our community, partners, clients, and suppliers?
• How do we manage the individual and organisational challenges, anxieties, and changes associated with climate change?
• How do we direct our energies to enable the greening of our economy and the ways we work and live?

Recording of the talk