Going green? Environmental politics and activism

Rising public awareness of climate change and other environmental issues has contributed to a general ‘greening’ of mainstream political discourse. Adherents of green or environmental politics have evolved from single-issue pressure groups into positions of substantial influence. In some countries, particularly in Europe, this has seen insurgent Green parties achieving electoral successes and serving in government. Green political thinking, however, is far from homogenous. Despite areas of consensus, competing perspectives over priorities and strategy mean there are many points of tension and disagreement — not least on issues such as economics, nuclear energy, military force, and foreign policy. Moreover, as green politics has become more prominent, so have its critics, including net zero sceptics and influential political advocacy organisations.

This Collection aims to take a wide-angle view of green politics and its wider ramifications. Research and analysis is welcomed from a variety of disciplinary, geographical and methodological vantage points.

Contributions are invited on key themes, including but not limited to:

• Theoretical and empirical aspects of green politics and how these shape and influence mainstream political discourse and policy making;
• Roles and strategies adopted by diverse actors including activist groups, political parties, private entities, NGOs, social movements, political advocacy organisations, and campaigning bodies;
• Competing ideas and interests, and their effects on decision-making relating to environmental policymaking;
• Environmental political thinking and ideology;
• Public opinion and electoral trends;
• Anti-green/environmental thinking and its influence on policy making and public sentiments;
• Populism and environmentalism (e.g. eco-nationalism, climate scepticism, etc.).

Research focused on identification, implementation and evaluation of environmental policy making should be directed to our sister Collection Climate, energy and environmental policy: from formulation to implementation.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 11, and SDG 12.