Social cohesion strengthens security

Social cohesion is an essential requirement for tackling challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution. This is the conclusion reached by the German Federal Government’s Scientific Advisory Council on Global Environmental Change (WBGU) in its new sub-report »Social Cohesion Strengthens Security«. One of the co-authors is Prof. Dr Aletta Bonn of Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The Council recommends linking climate and social policy more closely, expanding opportunities for local participation and aligning Political Communication more closely with social cohesion.

Transformation requires fair participation

Far-reaching changes—for example in energy, transport or heating policy—can exacerbate conflicts if costs and benefits are perceived as being distributed unfairly. The WBGU therefore recommends that environmental and social issues be considered more holistically. Climate-friendly alternatives must also be accessible to people on low incomes. Education and civic education are also important requirements for social participation and the capacity for democratic action.

»Sustainable change requires not only technical solutions, but also trust, fair participation and the experience of being able to make a difference oneself. When people are involved in change and experience its benefits at a local level, this can simultaneously strengthen social cohesion. Working together to promote a healthy natural environment—for example, by planting trees or restoring streams—can also foster a shared sense of self-efficacy and a unifying sense of community«, says Aletta Bonn.

Bonn heads the Ecosystem Services research group at the University of Jena and works at the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig. At the WBGU, she contributes in particular her expertise on biodiversity, human-nature relationships and participatory formats.

Participation can strengthen self-efficacy

Using wind energy as an example, the assessment report shows how social acceptance of controversial changes can be fostered. Among other things, the WBGU proposes giving people living near wind turbines a greater financial share in their revenue and involving the public at an early stage in project planning.

In the Advisory Council’s view, such participatory processes can do more than simply increase acceptance of individual projects. If they are designed at an early stage, in an inclusive manner and with a focus on citizens, they also enable people to experience having a say in political decisions and to negotiate conflicts democratically.

Integrating climate and social policy

People are more likely to support climate and environmental policy measures if they perceive the distribution of costs and benefits to be fair. The WBGU therefore recommends, for example, that when switching to more climate-friendly heating and mobility, particular care should be taken not to place an excessive burden on lower-income households, and that the additional social benefits for everyone should be highlighted more clearly.

At the same time, the Advisory Council advocates Political Communication that openly acknowledges differing interests and burdens without pitting social groups against one another. Common goals and the potential benefits of transformation processes should be made more visible.

Part of an assessment report on security

»Social Cohesion Strengthens Security« is the second chapter of the main report »Security—Sustainable and Integrated«, on which the WBGU is currently working. Due to the dynamic nature of the security policy debate, the Advisory Council is publishing individual chapters in advance. The sub-report »The Environment Shapes Security« and an assessment of the overall concept have already been published.

The WBGU is an independent scientific advisory body to the Federal Government. It analyses global environmental and development issues and uses these to develop recommendations for action and research. Aletta Bonn has been a member of the Advisory Council since November 2024.