Climate change is deeply intertwined with global patterns of inequality. The poorest and most vulnerable people bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change, but they contribute the least to the crisis. As the impacts of climate change increase, millions of vulnerable people face extreme events, health impacts, food, water, livelihood security, displacement and displacement, loss of cultural identity, and more. face disproportionate challenges in terms of associated risks.
Certain social groups are particularly vulnerable to crises. Examples include female-headed households, children, people with disabilities, indigenous and ethnic minorities, landless sharecroppers, migrant workers, displaced persons, sexual and sexual minorities, the elderly, and other marginalized groups. These include people who have been group. The root cause of vulnerability lies in a combination of geographic locations. their economic, socio-economic, cultural and gender status; and access to resources, services, decision-making rights, and justice.
Poor and marginalized people are demanding more ambitious action on climate change. Climate change is not just an environmental crisis, it is a social crisis, forcing us to address issues of inequality at different levels, including between rich and poor countries. between the rich and poor in the country. between men and women, and between generations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes the need for climate action to adhere to principles of procedural and distributive justice in order to achieve more effective development outcomes.
The most vulnerable people are often disproportionately affected by climate action. Without well-designed and comprehensive policies, tackling climate change can have unintended consequences for the lives of certain groups, such as imposing higher economic burdens on poor households. For example, policies that expand public transport or carbon prices can lead to higher public transport fares, disproportionately affecting poorer households. Similarly, unless planned in collaboration with beneficiaries and affected communities, approaches such as restricting forestry activities to certain times of the year will have a negative impact on indigenous communities that depend on forests year-round for their livelihoods. may give. In addition to addressing the distributional impacts of a decarbonized economy, social inclusion, cultural and political The economic aspects also need to be understood and addressed. social inequalities in these processes;
While much progress has been made in the types of science and policies needed to support the transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient development, the challenges facing many countries remain The goal is to involve people who may not have done so, and gather the support of those who understand. They are concerned about being unduly affected by climate policy. It is important that people participate in the choices they have to make. This includes transparency, access to information, and citizen engagement on climate risks and green growth to reduce climate impacts and create a coalition of actions and support and public demands to overcome challenges. is required. Overcoming political barriers to decarbonization and generating new ideas and ownership of solutions.
Additionally, communities bring unique perspectives, skills, and a wealth of knowledge to the challenge of strengthening resilience and addressing climate change. They need to be involved as partners in building resilience, rather than just being seen as beneficiaries. Research and experience show that community leaders can set priorities, influence ownership, and design and implement investment programs tailored to the community’s own needs. A recent IPCC report recognizes the value of diverse forms of knowledge, including scientific, indigenous and local knowledge, in building resilience to climate change. Innovations in the architecture of climate finance can connect communities and marginalized groups with the policy, technical and financial support they need for locally relevant and effective development impacts.
Last updated: April 1, 2023