This introductory chapter calls for the combination of climate change measures with social development and sustainability goals, and emphasises the impact of climate change on inclusion and social justice. Many current mitigation measures risk undermining the livelihoods of those most vulnerable to impacts of climate change, with unintended consequences. It introduces key themes on a range of areas that are explored later in the book, including: migration, gender, indigenous peoples and knowledge, and conflict. Taking a social equity perspective means a climate agenda responsive to the disproportionate burden of climate change vulnerability on the most disadvantaged.
Key messages include:
- Climate change mitigation policies may have a bigger impact on poor people than changing climate itself – managing their potentially adverse consequences on the poor is central.
- Adaptation needs to be mainstreamed in national planning, however current adaptation approaches may be missing opportunities to support ways local people are already adapting.
- A rights-based approach provides a moral and ethical basis for action and advocacy and helps give voice to vulnerable groups.
- Capacity for adaptation varies; developing countries are generally constrained by limited technology, weak institutions, low education, and inadequate financial resources.
- Indigenous people often have tacit knowledge that supports sustainable relationships between society and natural resources, yet they are often excluded from climate change discussions and mitigation measures often have unfavourable impacts on their ways of living, furthering their exclusion and vulnerability;
- The gendered nature of social exclusion can increase vulnerability to climate change for women and girls. Women have not had equal access or voice in decision-making in climate adaptation and mitigation.
- Climate variability is integral to the lives of pastoral groups and others in drylands, and evidence suggests that there are possibilities for enhancing their climate resilience.
Much more work is needed to develop inclusive and socially accountable approaches. Climate change mitigation and adaptation will take time and there is a much uncertainty around specific impacts; adaptive policy-making and an inclusive learning process is recommended. Policies should address existing drivers of vulnerability while providing a foundation for adaptation. For example, introducing new approaches that build on their existing adaptive livelihoods. Harnessing women’s leadership and experiences should be a priority. Governance is also a priority issue – coordinating global action to mitigate climate change requires unprecedented collective action linking global and local concerns (among nations, firms, communities). Authors highlight research as an important focus, as well as tracking progress and producing evidence-based recommendations to inform policy.
