Synopsis
Why do people protect themselves from extreme heat, and why do intentions not always translate into action? This seminar examines urban heat adaptation through the COM-B framework, with particular attention to motivation: risk perceptions, concern, attitudes, intentions and self-efficacy. Drawing on VULNERA project, including a survey of residents in Barcelona, Valencia and Zaragoza, and an ongoing qualitative study using reconvened focus groups and sensor-based heat exposure measurements, I will examine how motivational factors interact with capabilities, material resources and urban opportunities to shape protective behaviour in everyday contexts.
Speaker
Dr Christian Oltra is a social scientist at CIEMAT, Spain, where he studies the social dimensions of environmental and energy issues. His research focuses on risk perception, public acceptance of emerging energy technologies, environmental attitudes and protective behaviour in response to climate-related hazards. He currently co-leads VULNERA, a research project on social vulnerability and adaptation to extreme heat in urban areas. He has worked extensively on public responses to environmental risk (air pollution and climate change), carbon capture and storage, nuclear fusion and other energy technologies. He is also an associate professor at the University of Barcelona.
