Using innovation techniques in the public sector to help tackle climate change

At Forum for the Future we believe that unprecedented challenges require unprecedented solutions. Which is why we're using innovation to deliver new ways of thinking about sustainability.

We have teamed up with global innovation and design consultancy IDEO to help three local authorities incorporate innovative design processes into their fight against climate change. Ordinarily used by leading companies such as Apple and Proctor & Gamble to maintain their competitive edge, these processes are rarely seen in a public sector setting.

How the process works

Local councils often deal with problems by conducting market research or surveys in an attempt to find a solution. The i-team projects took three councils into challenging new territory with the IDEO people-centred approach. This approach uses empathic research techniques such as observing and interviewing a diverse range of people at home or work to identify what they actually do, as opposed to what they say they do. Using this method, ideas can be generated to provide solutions that are much more implementable in the real world.

Which councils are involved?
During 2008 and 2009, Forum for the Future and IDEO have been working with the following local authorities that each defined a climate change problem, and set out to tackle it using this people-centred approach:

• Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire wanted to incentivise new parents to reduce their energy use by saving themselves money;
• Suffolk County Council decided to create a simple yet elegant scheme to significantly reduce their business mileage; and
• St Helen’s Local Authority wanted to encourage 12-14 year olds to take the lead on climate change using a cutting edge viral marketing campaign.