Environmental (In)Justice between Green Policies and Social-Ecological Inequalities

Contemporary social-ecological challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and resource depletion do not affect all populations equally. At the same time, policies designed to address environmental crises may generate new forms of exclusion and inequality. While green transitions are increasingly promoted as pathways towards sustainability, their social consequences remain uneven across regions, communities and social groups.

This session invites contributions examining questions of environmental (in)justice in the context of sustainability transitions and contemporary social-ecological transformations. We welcome theoretical and empirical research addressing distributive, procedural, recognition and knowledge-related dimensions of environmental governance and change. Topics may include environmental inequalities, climate justice, energy transitions, environmental governance, participation and decision-making, environmental conflicts, rural and urban disparities, policy design and implementation and the social consequences of green transitions.

The session particularly encourages contributions that explore how environmental policies, institutions and governance arrangements shape patterns of inclusion and exclusion, as well as opportunities for more socially just and sustainable futures. Comparative, interdisciplinary and international perspectives are especially welcome. This session is organized as part of the institutional research project “ECOJUSTICE” (NPOO 581-990-1054) at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.