BIP “Why don’t we act?”: understanding the barriers to climate action to better overcome them

For a week, third-year Public Relations students collaborated with international participants from the Panteion University and the University of Bucharest. Together, they explored the barriers to climate action, whether psychological, social, political, cultural, narrative or behavioural.

As part of the ‘Fundamentals of Public Relations’ course taught by Elise Maas, this programme offered a cross-disciplinary approach combining strategic communication, climate psychology and behavioural analysis. Through seminars such as “Introduction to Climate Psychology & Behavioural Barriers”, “How Our Brain Works (and Why That’s a Problem)” and “Individual vs. Systemic Change – What is my role in this?”, participants were invited to reflect on their own relationship to climate action.

The week was also punctuated by workshops, debates and immersive experiences. A simulation focusing on climate justice and youth engagement, as well as field visits – notably to the CoHop cooperative brewery and sites related to Belgium’s colonial past – helped to link theoretical reflections to concrete realities.

What makes the BIP unique is its short but intensive format, which fosters rich and continuous exchanges. The diversity of backgrounds and nationalities enriched the discussions, with each participant bringing a unique perspective, shaped by their social and cultural context.

Beyond analysis, the objective was clear: to take action. The students were to leave with a better understanding of the barriers to action, and with tools to conceptualise and communicate change. They thus developed initial project prototypes aimed at encouraging behavioural change, with the ambition of testing them in their own contexts.

The programme was led by Colas Van Moorsel, a consultant at ELDERS and lecturer at IHECS. Specialising in innovative storytelling and committed to climate justice issues, he supports organisations in making the transition not only understandable, but above all desirable. His approach, at the intersection of communication and behavioural sciences, helped to inform the discussions.

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