A study commissioned by LebensGroß shows that climate policy must always be considered alongside economic and social policy. Only in this way can a climate-friendly society emerge that enables all people to live sustainably.
Climate change has far-reaching consequences for our ecosystem and, by extension, for all people. But how do people in different life circumstances engage with the issue? This question was explored by the social research institute queraum within a participatory research setting, together with the research office Menschenrechte. In addition to literature research and expert interviews, people who experience social disadvantage were surveyed across nine focus groups.
The study clearly showed that environmental justice (including in Austria) is in a poor state. People who are socially disadvantaged are more severely affected by climate change whilst simultaneously having less access to environmental resources that would benefit their health. It is also clear that sustainable living depends on a wide range of factors. Furthermore, the impact of individual consumer behaviour on climate protection tends to be overestimated, and people are nonetheless frequently moralised and judged on this basis. The (non-)availability of climate-friendly infrastructure plays a crucial role here. Many people also lack sufficient financial, time-related, social, and emotional resources for a sustainable lifestyle.
