Year: 2025
Type: dissertation
Abstract: To truly address climate change, action is required across all sectors of society worldwide. This thesis explores how socio-economic wealth influences climate attitudes and perceptions of responsibility among residents of Östermalm, Stockholm. By using eight semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, the study examines daily practices, awareness of climate change and its related initiatives, and barriers to sustainable behavior. The analysis is guided by four theoretical frameworks: Urban Political Ecology, Green Urbanism, Environmental Justice, and Green Gentrification. The findings reveal that even though the residents express some levels of climate awareness, and support some climate initiatives, their engagement remains mainly superficial or conditional based on comfort and convenience. Socio-economic wealth enables eco-friendly choices, but also high-emission lifestyles. The study further highlights the need for stronger alignment between economic privilege and environmental responsibility and contributes to the growing body of research on urban sustainability and environmental justice in wealthy, high-emission settings.
Author: Persson, Linnea
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7053226838