Understanding climate justice and equity
It is important to understand that not all people contribute to climate change the same way. The world’s richest 10% are responsible for 50% of GHG emissions, whereas the poorest 50% are only responsible for 10%, despite population and energy consumption increasing (Chancel, 2022). Therefore, in efforts to address climate change, the burden should not be borne by those that have contributed the least. This is what climate justice and equity are about.
Climate justice and climate equity are the two concepts that reflect fairness in dealing with climate change issues. Concern is raised about how countries and organisations design their response to the climate crisis. Climate equity thus highlights the fair sharing and equitable distribution of the burdens of climate change and the mitigation measures.
| Climate justice
Climate justice implies acting for a just transition to a sustainable future by recognising the disproportionate effects of climate disruption on marginalised groups and future generations. It is concerned with inequities that arise from climate disruption that occur between generations (inter-generational equity) and those that occur among people living today (intra-generational equity). Viewing climate change through a justice “lens” means asking questions such as: Who has power and access to resources, and who doesn’t? As a result, who feels the disproportionate effects of things like climate change, and who will cope with climate changes better as a result of their privileged position in society? It also means taking action to address these inequities and disrupt systems of oppression through community and civic engagement. |
Reading
1 Climate Justice in Your Classroom (online book)
https://uw.pressbooks.pub/climatejustice/front-matter/introduction/
| Climate equity
“Climate equity is the goal of recognising and addressing the unequal burdens made worse by climate change, while ensuring that all people share the benefits of climate protection efforts. Achieving equity means that all people—regardless of their race, color, gender, age, sexuality, national origin, ability, or income—live in safe, healthy, fair communities.” (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2021) |
2 Climate equity
https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-equity
In fact, the benefits of a clean environment and the burdens of pollution are not shared equally in societies, despite the apparent concern and commitment of all countries about climate issues. All people have equal rights of access to key resources, while protecting vulnerable communities and populations from environmental hazards, regardless of race, income, or other characteristics.
Unfortunately, people are not equally affected by climate change. Some communities experience disproportionate impacts because of existing vulnerabilities, historical patterns of inequity, socioeconomic disparities, and systemic environmental injustices. People who already face the greatest burdens are often the ones affected most by climate change.
Climate equity is anchored in climate justice through the recognition that climate crisis effects are not felt evenly around the world. For example, extreme heat, flooding, and crop failures resulting from global warming disproportionately affect countries and communities in the Global South (Global Witness, 2023).
| Climate equity and environmental justice
“Climate equity is a part of the overarching aim of environmental justice, which is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, colour, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Striving for climate equity is putting these same values into practice when tackling climate change impacts and ensuring that everyone has equal access to resources and safe spaces.” (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2021) |
The reality is that the Global North, or wealthy countries, which are more industrialised, emit far more greenhouse gas emissions than developing nations. Therefore, they bear the greatest responsibility and burden for taking action to address climate change. In the interest of climate justice and equity, they must support developing nations in adapting to avoid pollution — for example, through financing and technology transfer (Shah, 2012).
To achieve climate justice and equity, rich nations must acknowledge their historical culpability and take action by supporting developing countries in various initiatives, such as the transition to clean energy to reduce pollution. These counties must also take legislative action to hold companies headquartered within their borders accountable for the harms they cause to both people and the environment overseas. That includes upholding the right of indigenous persons and communities to safeguard forests, as these people play an outsized role in protecting the natural world and are severely impacted by its destruction.
Furthermore, climate policy negotiations have for too long been dominated by the interests of wealthy corporations and countries. There is no justice and equity in that. The voices of the countries and communities that have for a long time been affected by the climate change crisis should also be acknowledged (Global Witness, 2023).
Activity
Activity 3.1. Referring to the paper by Anup Shah available at https://www.globalissues.org/article/231/climate-justice-and-equity, describe how the discussion on climate change responsibility raises concerns about climate justice and equity among developed and developing countries.
