A new study explores who is responsible for tackling our environmental and wider social challenges – with the data suggesting governments are most responsible. The study, led by Dr Miles Thompson from UWE Bristol (University of the West of England), has been published in a new volume from Springer entitled: “Community, Psychology and Climate Justice”.
Set against the backdrop of the climate and ecological emergencies, the research drew upon the results of previously published research where academics and young people generated lists of environmental and wider social challenges.
In this new study, participants rated a subset of 62 different challenges (31 environmental, 31 wider social) according to the degree to which they see: i. Individuals; ii. Businesses and Corporations; or iii. Governments as being responsible for tackling them.
More than 200 participants took part, rating responsibilities for tackling each challenge on a 5 point scale from 1 – ‘not at all responsible’; 3 -‘somewhat responsible’ (the midpoint); and 5 ‘extremely responsible’.
Collapsing the data into averages, individuals received the lowest responsibility scores, (3.35 environmental; 3.36 wider social); then businesses and corporations (4.03 environmental; 3.54 wider social), with governments getting the highest scores (4.25 environmental; 4.06 wider social). The results further explore statistical differences and also examine the data more descriptively. Throughout, the general pattern described above holds.
The discussion draws upon the book ‘Kick-starting Government Action Against Climate Change: Effective Political Strategies’ by Professor Ian Budge. In this work, Budge argues that while the climate science is clear, as are the details of many of the things that need to be done, much less is written on how to make sure what needs to happen actually happens. Budge highlights ways to push our governments to take necessary climate actions whilst also ensuring a just transition.
Commenting on this new study, Dr Miles Thompson notes: “It should be remembered that this study does not suggest that individuals have no responsibility for tackling these challenges. The average responsibility score for individuals was above the midpoint. It is just that, according to this data, businesses and corporations and governments have even more responsibility”.
It is worth noting that while the study separated out individuals; businesses and corporations and governments – the authors argue that, in reality, these are inter-related sectors. For example, government policy is influenced by corporate lobbying and we all influenced by the wider tides of capitalism and neoliberalism.
The authors also suggest, that while future research could and should seek to replicate these findings, we also need to be focusing efforts on more directly addressing the many challenges we face – especially in term of the climate and ecological emergencies – and holding those to account who have the most responsibility for tackling these challenges.
Anyone wanting to see the chapter can visit the publishers website (here), or simply contact Miles Thompson for a copy.
Reference:
Thompson, M., Jønholt, L.-A., Nevin, S., & Selih, I. (2025). Who is responsible for tackling our environmental and wider social challenges? Participant data and reflections for community psychology. In B. R. Barnes, M. Fernandes-Jesus, C. D. Trott, & G. Barnwell (Eds.), Community, Psychology and Climate Justice (pp. 45-62). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99223-0_3.