The justice pitfalls of a sustainable transport transition

Abstract

This article examines the potential adverse effects of sustainable transport transitions on justice. It is important for policy debates to consider how pro-environment policies may adversely impact social justice. We apply a broad conception of justice as comprising redistribution, representation and recognition to the transport transition in Bergen, Norway, with ambitious climate mitigation policies to be met primarily by reshaping transport. Through primary data collection and critical literature review, we identify several potential injustice effects of green transport transitions. These particularly relate to the redistributive effects of selective allocation of benefits and to less tangible processes of representation and recognition.

Governance learning from collective actions for just climate adaptation in cities

“…The public mobilization against the road tolls had a significant effect on the local elections in 2019, when the single-issue party People's Action No To More Toll Roads because the third largest party despite having been formed just months prior. In this and other issues, there are significant social divisions around green, climate-friendly policies in the city, concerning their merit, who benefits, and questions of financing (Wågsaether et al, 2022).…”