Mitigating Effects of Climate Change: Business or Individual Responsibility and Interactions in Latvia

Description

Objectives
The issue of climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, affecting ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, the debate over who bears the responsibility for mitigating these effects businesses or individual consumers has gained significant importance. The aim of this research is to explore the distribution of responsibility between businesses and individual consumers in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Materials and Methods
This study employed a mixed-methods approach, by analyzing data from Eurobarometer surveys and conducting in-depth interviews with various companies. Surveys provided comprehensive insights into public opinion and behavioral trends. Seven qualitative interviews were conducted with representatives from various companies. These interviews aimed to understand how businesses perceive climate change and the specific activities they undertake to mitigate its impact. The interviews provided in-depth perspectives on corporate strategies, challenges, and best practices in addressing climate change.
Results
Businesses, with their significant resource capabilities, are positioned to implement large-scale changes, yet individual actions collectively contribute to substantial environmental impact. The study underscores the importance of integrated policies that encourage both corporate accountability and individual responsibility, fostering a synergistic approach to climate change mitigation.
Conclusions
Consumers are increasingly fatigued by the continuous imposition of responsibility on them alone. It is crucial for companies to demonstrate their commitment to mitigating climate change through visible and impactful initiatives, fostering a cooperative effort that engages both businesses and consumers. The study underscores the importance of integrated policies that encourage both corporate accountability and individual responsibility, fostering a synergistic approach to climate change mitigation.

Period	28 Mar 2025
Event title	Research week 2025: PLACES
Event type	Conference
Conference number	4th
Organiser	Rīga Stradiņš University
Location	Riga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International