The global climate crisis is no longer just an ecological problem. It is also an economic, social and political crisis with devastating consequences that are not evenly distributed across society. Those most affected are often the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, which deepens existing socioeconomic inequalities.

The European Green Deal was designed as a transformative moment for Europe, focused on resource efficiency for a circular and clean economy. However, its success depends not only on environmental ambitions, but also on social inclusiveness. The EU-funded ACCTING project focused on the social dimension of this transition, examining the impact of the Green Deal’s policy initiatives on the behaviour of individuals and collectives. The project highlights that inequalities also arise in the context of the Green Deal.

ACCTING research and experiments have revealed that to effectively address behavioral change and promote sustainability, collaboration between policy and civil society organizations needs to be strengthened. It is crucial to consider community-based approaches, the weight of collective influence, while addressing systemic inequalities and power dynamics.

One of the main findings is the importance of local and community-led initiatives for sustainable and equitable transformation. Changes are most effective when driven and managed by local communities. Community-led initiatives lead to more credible, inclusive and real-needs-adapted outcomes. They build social trust and ensure that interventions reflect local values and experiences. Examples from the ACCTING project include community gardens in the Czech Republic (Mapko Connects Community Gardens), which support urban gardening, or the Dialogue and Action against Forest Fires initiative in Greece, where village committees co-developed fire preparedness plans based on local knowledge.

Despite their potential, however, community efforts cannot flourish without necessary institutional support. Long-term success requires sustainable institutional and financial support from local and national governments. Many initiatives face burnout, underfunding or marginalization without these support structures, despite having significant social impact. Policy recommendations include institutionalizing long-term support for community initiatives, creating pathways for their integration with formal institutions, and valuing and incorporating local knowledge into policies.

Another major obstacle to sustainability is structural inequalities and insufficient infrastructure. Physical and institutional frameworks determine whether and who can engage in sustainable practices. People from disadvantaged groups often face accessibility constraints, lack of time or security concerns that prevent them from accessing sustainable options, despite a strong will to engage. Policies need to intervene where the gap between sustainable aspirations and structural conditions arises, providing viable alternatives and addressing structural exclusion. The example of the Food4Schools project in Greece shows how a school food programme addressed access and sustainability by providing affordable food to low-income families and led to the creation of a local Action Plan and Food Council. The Premios inclusivECs in Spain revealed that outdated regulations blocked the implementation of community energy projects, despite local interest in them. Recommendations include rebalancing responsibilities between individuals and institutions, investing in inclusive infrastructure (such as safe cycling networks, accessible public transport, energy-efficient housing), and aligning sustainability policies with affordability and feasibility. Policies should also be assessed in terms of their impact on different groups (gender, disability, migration, socio-economic status).

The ACCTING project also highlights that social networks and collective influence contribute significantly to the adoption of sustainable behaviour. Individuals are more likely to behave sustainably when they are part of strong social networks that provide knowledge, motivation, resources and a shared sense of purpose. Examples such as the cycling initiative Todas en bici in Spain, which created inclusive cycling spaces for women in low-income neighbourhoods, show how social connectivity and safe spaces can lead to both behavioural change and a shift in local norms. Recommendations in this area include investing in social infrastructure (community centres, cycling centres), strengthening and diversifying social networks and empowering socially embedded actors as agents of change.

The findings of the ACCTING project clearly show that environmental and social sustainability are inseparable and must be addressed by coordinated, cross-sectoral strategies that focus on both structural change and people’s lived experiences. Sustainable transformation grows out of the alignment of bottom-up initiatives and institutional support, from inclusive infrastructure and participatory governance. Inclusivity in the European Green Deal is fundamental to its legitimacy and success. This means integrating perspectives such as gender, disability, migration, age and socio-economic status into every level of green policy, not as additional elements but as basic design principlesOnly by focusing on those most affected by environmental and social injustice can we build transitions that are effective, socially just, resilient, and truly transformative. Spring

Political overview, evidence and analysis.