The climate of inequality. On the social structure of climate conflicts

Abstract

The article maps how political conflicts over climate change are intertwined with social inequality. Building on studies of Dörre et al. on industrial transformation conflicts, four forms of social inequality are identified that structure climate politics: unequal causation of ecological damage, unequal affectedness, unequal burdens of the green transformation, and unequal gains from ecological distinction. Based on own empirical research, the paper shows that these inequalities and the way they do or do not become politicized are decisive for how citizens from different classes position themselves in disputes about climate policy. Social structure and inequality, the findings suggests, explain blockages in current efforts at climate protection. The green transformation will only be viable if class-related inequalities, interests, ideas of justice, as well as resources of collective agency are systematically taken into account.