Sozialpolitische Dimensionen der Klimaanpassung

The project group examines the previously neglected role of social policy in the context of climate adaptation: welfare state institutions do not merely respond to new climate-related pressures, but actively shape processes of societal resilience. The group analyzes how social policy instruments, rights, and institutions influence climate-induced inequalities, legitimize adaptation, or generate new conflicts. Theoretically, the group builds on the debate on third-generation social risks and connects it with international concepts such as Adaptive Social Protection.

The project group consists of three subprojects: TP1 identifies climate-induced vulnerability along the dimensions of exposure and sensitivity in different lifeworlds. TP2 investigates adaptive capacity as the interlinkage of technical (e.g., protective infrastructure, early warning systems) and social policy (e.g., insurance, prevention, social services) infrastructures. TP3 analyzes conceptions of justice in climate adaptation, particularly tensions surrounding trust in technology and democracy versus technocracy.