Understanding family and community vulnerabilities in transition to net zero

This project proposes to understand the vulnerabilities of families and communities in the transition to a net zero carbon society; and to build a framework that enables policy makers to strategically plan for and manage transition in such a way that it mitigates and reduces inequalities. There are significant risks to family livelihoods in terms of poverty and exacerbated inequalities, and concerns that certain demographic groups and geographic communities hold disproportionate vulnerabilities in transition. A robust consideration is needed of the risks to families and communities which goes beyond the fuller picture of “job losses” or “workforce demographics” (Bird and Lawton, 2009; Brecher, 2020; NESTA, 2020) to human, social and justice concerns. This project responds to the recognised need for new research and policy mechanisms that systematically draw together dimensions of social policy and education policy with energy and climate policy; in order to address and monitor the vulnerabilities of disadvantaged groups to the effects of a low carbon transition (Silveira & Pritchard, 2016).

Faculty Supervisor:

André-Anne Parent

Student:

Partner:

University of Leeds

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: