An Eco‐Social Policy Mix for 1.5°C Lifestyles

A Multi‐Country Policy Delphi Analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID12899655
AuthorsKārlis Lakševics (0000-0002-6674-1931, Green Liberty), Janis Brizga (0000-0001-9022-0354, Green Liberty, corresponding author), Pia Mamut (0000-0003-3935-4634), Halliki Kreinin (0000-0003-0095-8393), Doris Fuchs (0000-0002-6046-5294), Inga Belousa (Green Liberty)
Year2025
Publication date2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRegulation & Governance (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1748-5983 • E-ISSN: 1748-5991
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/rego.12655
OpenAlexW4407057396
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited66

Bridging the gap between welfare and climate policies is essential for simultaneously pursuing increased well‐being and reduced carbon emissions. This study uses a policy Delphi approach, involving experts and stakeholders from five European countries: Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Spain, and Sweden, to assess the perceived desirability and feasibility of six eco‐social policies for enabling 1.5°C lifestyles. The results show that eco‐social policies are challenged by current growth and work paradigms, which transcend welfare‐regime‐related, ideological, social, and institutional rationales. Of the selected policies, stakeholders found low‐efficiency housing retrofits the most desirable, but income caps the least desirable. Worktime reduction, job guarantees, and income ceilings raise deep concerns over work, motivation, and consumption. However, universal basic services, free public transport, and public renovation raise concerns about service efficiency, innovation incentives, and welfare entitlement. Stakeholders agreed that eco‐social policies are desirable and feasible, but only when combined in a way that balances social and environmental impacts. They believe it might be easier to address challenges in understanding and implementing these policies if they were part of a broader, coordinated approach at a supranational level, rather than isolated, single‐issue policies targeting specific sectors

Business · Economic growth · Economics · Entitlement (fair division · Incentive · Market economy · Policy mix · Political science · Public economics · Public policy · Social policy · Social Welfare · Welfare · Work (physics · Delphi Technique in Research · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance

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