New cultural contradictions in modern consumer societies: A political economy perspective using multi-level analysis

Researchers have long been interested in promoting the social and economic arrangements for human welfare. As our societies become more complex, the challenges we face appear more profound forcing us to rethink our ideas about how we live our lives, our lifestyles and the impacts of our lifestyle choices on others around us.

This international research project will investigate patterns of household consumption and social impacts within modern consumer societies like the UK. The research will examine and report on the distribution of living standards and conditions within and between countries. That some lives are characterised by a lack of resources - 'the poor' in consumer societies - while others have excessive lifestyles and consumption levels effecting the wellbeing of others (and future generations) due to emissions and the by-products of waste.

In my research project, disparities within and between societies, and ethical and global justice issues, come to the fore. The recognition of the need to use our resources better and more fairly, in a new era of degrowth, connects with the changing discourse of sustainable social justice. The findings from this research will feed directly into policy deliberations inside and outside government, including discussion about household consumption, household green emissions and household energy consumption in modern consumer societies and the social impacts on living standards, and the environment. The project will also offer valuable lessons and advice for consumers on how best to reduce emissions and prepare for the effects of a changing climate. This research will help to raise public and government understanding and awareness of the impacts of consumption in modern consumer societies.

Beneficiaries of the research, including how they will benefit:

-The Academic and Research Community: project outputs will demonstrate new knowledge and methodological developments and innovations in multilevel analysis; other outputs will focus on study findings and resulting social and environmental issues arising from the research (again contributing to new knowledge and debate in the social and natural sciences).

-Policymakers and Governments: increasingly government and politicians are becoming interested in sustainable consumption. The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been working on government strategies for supporting a strong and sustainable green economy. Research findings from this inquiry will be of interest to policymakers interested in patterns of household consumption and social impacts will feed into current debates about resilience to climate change. In the past I have made a formal submission of my work and research evidence to the UK Prime Minister's Office. At the EU level, policymakers and officials at the European Commission will be interested in applications and findings, particularly the Living Conditions and Social Protection Unit and Health and the Consumers Directorate.

-International NGOs: often play a central role in shaping public policy. NGOs such as the OECD and World Bank help governments to tackle the economic, social and governance challenges of a globalised economy. While the WHO is concerned with international public health and has policies on tackling global health inequalities and climate change mitigation policies. In the past I have made formal submissions of my work and research evidence to the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (see Pathways to Impact).

-Statistical Agencies: such as the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Eurostat (statistical office of the European Communities) are likely to be interested in methodology innovations and developments resulting from the study and will be interested to learn how derived data has been created with the application of various conversion factors (for greenhouse gas emissions) to household survey data.

-Wider Public: issues around ethical consumerism are complex; nevertheless wider public debate is needed about socially acceptable levels of household consumption and social impacts. Findings will be publically debated at events: a special 'Big Equality Debate' in Bristol and the Festival of Ideas which aims to stimulate people's minds and passions (www.ideasfestival.co.uk). Further information on research users and reaching the wider public is given in Pathways to Impact.

-Industry: as awareness of environmental issues and social factors related to trade has risen, producers, shops and supermarkets are becoming more interested in ethical purchase behaviour and industry will be interested in patterns of consumption and social impacts by place.

-Charities and Think-tanks: such as eaga Charitable Trust and the Crichton Carbon Centre in south-west Scotland are interested in distributional and equity impacts of climate change mitigation and research that contributes to fair energy services for all groups in society. Other influential think-tanks such as the Resolution Foundation, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) will be interested in the findings on living standards and potential policy implications, particularly as these organisations have strong interests in social justice and sustainable consumption. I have established links with these organisations having worked on projects with them before.