1237. Social Dimensions of Climate Change Impacts

The poorest and most vulnerable people tend to be the most affected by extreme weather events, even though they have the least to do with causing climate change. As the impacts of climate change increase, millions of vulnerable people face disproportionate challenges in terms of unemployment, health impacts, food and water insecurity, migration and forced displacement, loss of housing and community ties, and other related risks. A World Bank study discusses the relationship between climate change and global patterns of inequality.

Vulnerability to climate change varies among social groups. For example, workers in sectors such as agriculture, fishing, and tourism depend on natural resources for their livelihoods and are increasingly exposed to unpredictable weather and seasonal patterns. Female-headed households, children, people with disabilities, indigenous and ethnic minorities, landless peasants, migrant workers, displaced people, older people, and other marginalized groups lack the economic resources to cope with and recover from shocks that may threaten their normal livelihoods. The root causes of their vulnerability stem from a combination of factors including geographic location, economic, socio-economic, cultural and social status, and access to resources, services, and decision-making power.

The poor are not only the most vulnerable to climate change, but are also often disproportionately affected. These impacts include higher costs of living, loss of livelihoods, and limited access to resources and support systems, exacerbating existing inequalities and poverty trends. Without proper citizen-centric support, climate action may have unintended consequences on the lives of certain groups, such as increased economic burdens on poor households. For example, policies such as expanding public transport and carbon pricing can lead to higher public transport fares, disproportionately impacting poor households. Similarly, approaches such as restricting the timing of forestry activities can have negative effects on indigenous communities whose livelihoods depend on forests throughout the year, unless designed in partnership with beneficiaries and affected communities. In addition to addressing the distributional impacts of a decarbonized economy, its social, cultural, and political-economic dimensions also need to be understood and addressed.

Significant progress has been made in recent years in the science and policy development needed to support the transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient development. The key is to engage citizens in the debate on climate risks and green growth through transparency and by ensuring access to information. It is essential to mobilize support and public demand to overcome behavioral and political barriers to mitigating the impacts of climate change and decarbonization, and generate new ideas and ownership for solutions.

Furthermore, local communities should be engaged as partners in building resilience, not just as beneficiaries. A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognized the value of diverse forms of knowledge, including scientific, indigenous, and community-based knowledge, in building resilience to climate change. Innovation is needed to connect local communities and vulnerable groups to the policies, technologies, and financial support they need to deliver effective, locally relevant development outcomes.

Contributor: Miyuki Iiyama, Information Program