Sustainable Climate Policies Can Support Both Equity and Emission Cuts, Study Finds

A new research by University of Michigan scientists and partner institutions shows that climate change mitigation, when done carefully, can reduce emissions while promoting social justice. The research, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed a number of international case studies and datasets to explore the intersections of climate action, economic development, and social justice. The study refutes the general belief that poorer countries have to sacrifice social development and economic growth in pursuit of a move towards renewable sources of energy. 

The study highlights how vulnerable communities are not only more likely to be victimized by climate change effects such as heatwaves and natural disasters, but are also likely to bear disproportionate brunt in the implementation of the mitigation strategies. For example, dam construction has long displaced Native populations. Nevertheless, by combining data from global reduction efforts, scientists identified many countries where emissions fell with growth in per-capita income as well as population health levels. In 13 low-to-middle-income economies that the authors monitored during the past 30 years, growth in renewables accelerated as GDP growth and declining inequality as indicated by the Gini index increased.

This new trend offers evidence that social justice and climate action do not have to be mutually exclusive. If managed well, investments in clean energy infrastructure can have co-benefits such as reduced pollution, enhanced public health, and increased economic opportunities. In these cases, the transition to renewable energy did not hinder progress but was linked to enhancements in both economic indicators and environmental resilience.

The researchers also developed a hierarchical model to track how climate injustices are done at different levels—from the national level to as low as certain neighborhoods. The visualizations allow for easier detection of how different climate-related policies impact different groups of people. The study underscores the need to assess the potential social and environmental effects of mitigation strategies before implementing them, especially in vulnerable areas.

Though there are hopeful examples, the research acknowledges that those affluent countries that have long been responsible for high emissions are still largely responsible for leading global decarbonization. Delayed action on climate change in these countries has gone to exacerbate global warming effects, both in terms of human and economic costs. Nevertheless, economic trends continue to show that the cost of doing nothing well outweighs investments required for a transition to cleaner technology.

Authors of the study believe that existing economic data from the insurance sector as well as business forecasts even more forcefully make a case for responding to climate change. The cost of clean energy has come down significantly and constitutes a financially viable alternative even to developing economies now. Alongside inclusive planning as well as a prudent social protection, green climate policies could not only cap world warming but could also reduce imbalances of structures.

The research team includes Peter Reich of the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota, Kathryn Grace of the University of Minnesota, Narini Nagendra of Azim Premji University in India, and Arun Agrawal of the University of Notre Dame. Together, they call for a shift in global climate policy toward both environmental and social justice outcomes. The report is a policy guide, urging policymakers not to be guilty of repeating the mistakes of history by ensuring that measures to combat climate change do not sacrifice the most disadvantaged.

In spite of adversity, the researchers are cautiously optimistic. With smart planning, international cooperation, and robust accountability systems, the transition towards a low-carbon world can also be a step towards a more equitable and just world society.

Source/Credits:
By University of Michigan | Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2411231122