Sustainable Welfare for a New Generation of Social Policy

DELIBERATING FOR A NEW GENERATION OF ECO-SOCIAL POLICY

Our society is faced with the double challenge of transitioning towards more sustainable energy, economic and social systems and of reducing growing inequalities.

The goal of this project is to develop a new generation of social policy that is both socially and ecologically sustainable, by placing particular weight on the combination of expert knowledge and citizen-perspective.

We start from sustainable welfare and needs theories that stress the universal character of human needs, yet culturally and socially diverse needs satisfiers depending on contexts.

By combining citizens’ forums, a survey study and expert forums, we reflect on current ways of satisfying needs and develop a new set of needs satisfiers that enable decent standards of wellbeing within planetary boundaries and with smaller energy consumption.

The project will lead to suggestions for policy changes in four areas with potential of increased energy efficiency: income/wealth distribution, nutrition, mobility and housing.