| Abstract [eng] |
Climate change can be called one of the most urgent global problems, which has a unique feature that after the emergence does not disappear spontaneously. It leads to irreversible changes in the environment, which have a negative impact on the further sustainable social development. The social impact of climate change is analysed in Master’s final project. The following problematic questions are raised in Master’s thesis: What are the social problems determined by climate change? What specific procedures in different areas of social policy will have to be taken in order to prevent the manifestation of social problems? What additional resources will be needed for the state to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to them? The object of this project is the challenges of climate change for social policy. The aim is to discuss the challenges of climate change for social policy in Lithuania. The following objectives were set: 1) To analyze the impact of climate change on areas of social policies by distinguishing mitigation and adaptation procedures, vulnerable groups of people, aspects of society attitudes; 2) To discuss the management principles of climate change policy; 3) To form an empirical research methodology by expert approach to the challenges of climate change for social policy; 4) To reveal the impact of climate change on social policy in Lithuania highlighting the existing institutional framework specifics, necessary changes and investments; 5) To discuss the public awareness level of climate change context. The qualitative research was chosen to reveal social impact of climate change. Using expert interview method, semi-structured interview type was chosen. Interview questionnaire guidelines was formed by the author based on the scientific literature aspects analyzed in Master’s thesis. During the research 8 experts were interviewed, who were selected according to the target criteria selection method. The research data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis method. The results of the analysis showed that most vulnerable areas of social policy due to climate change will be education and health policy. It was also observed, that the climate change policy in Lithuania is not integrated into the social policy management process, as well as the institutional structure of Lithuanian climate change policy is not sufficient for the implementation of climate change policy. The main drawbacks of climate change policy are the absence of independent institutions that could carry out monitoring on ongoing activities of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania and periodic audit function. Also an inter-institutional cooperation in Lithuania is minimal. It is characterized by formality, fragmentation and lack of adaptation, and there is no cooperation between the public and non-governmental sectors. Management plans of emergencies in Lithuania are standard and fragmented, and their efficiency and effectiveness have not been studied. Members of the society are not sufficiently involved and informed about the management of climate change policy, and they are not ready to respond to emergencies quickly. It has been observed that there is a lack climate change topics of integrated educational process at the national level, specific and easily accessible information targeted to the needs of groups of people with different interests and age. According to the research results, Master’s thesis includes recommendations. It consists of a theoretical and research parts, conclusions, recommendations, references and appendices. Master’s thesis contains 8 figures, 25 tables, 1 annex, and 60 sources of references. |
