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Environmental citizenship for sustainable consumption

Buko, Alena (2009) Environmental citizenship for sustainable consumption.

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Abstract:This thesis examines the potential of environmental citizenship to become a foundation to policies for sustainable consumption. It is argued that in policy making it is essential to treat individuals not only as consumers but as citizens, since it allows them foster responsible attitudes and exercise sustainable behaviour towards the environment and society. Developing this argument requires considerations of sustainable development and such important aspects as existing barriers to individual behaviour change, legitimacy of state interventions into the private sphere of consumption, and the shift from government to governance. This work mainly contributes to theoretical knowledge about environmental policies for sustainable consumption and sheds light on the relatively new theoretical concept of environmental citizenship, which is here regarded not only as a way of protecting the environment but also as a way to societal improvement. It also provides empirical knowledge on practical effectiveness of ecological citizenship in contrast to other policy strategies. Comparative analysis of six small empirical cases is made, and subsequent conclusions are presented on their advantages and disadvantages, particularly in terms of success of behaviour change. Thus, practical implications can be drawn on applying environmental citizenship as a strategy for sustainable present and future.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:88 social and public administration
Programme:Public Administration MSc (60020)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/60267
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