New study from SOFI: Welfare state's role in mitigating poverty from environmental taxes

In a new study, three researchers at the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI) at Stockholm University ,demonstrate how the welfare state protects households from falling into poverty as a result of environmental taxes related to consumption, writes Henrik Pehrsson, communications officer, in a article for Stockholm University.

Image of wooden blocks piled up with the words economic, social and environmental
Photo: Wolfilser/Mostphotos


The study also examines whether social policies serve as a safety net for households when facing environmental taxes. The levels of compensation within the social insurance system and the size of means-tested income support (formerly social assistance) are the focus of the analysis.

– Our research clearly demonstrates that the welfare state plays a crucial role in protecting households from the negative effects of environmental taxes, especially in preventing poverty due to increased costs of electricity and various types of fuels, says Kenneth Nelson, Professor of Sociology at the Institute for Social Research at Stockholm University.


The study was published in the journal Global Social Policy on December 27 and is part of a research project involving Kenneth Nelson, Arvid Lindh, and Pär Dalén, all affiliated with the Institute for Social Research.
 

Read the article by Henrik Pehrsson "Welfare state's role in mitigating poverty from environmental taxes"

Or read the study  "Social sustainability in the decarbonized welfare state: Social policy as a buffer against poverty related to environmental taxes" in its entirety

 

Contact information for Kenneth Nelson