Communities that bear the greatest burden of climate change impacts are often those that have contributed the least to the problem.
Many of these communities comprise the smallholder farmers and workers who produce some of the world’s largest agri-commodities, including cocoa, coffee, tea, palm oil and sugar. The changing climate has clear environmental impacts — it also exacerbates existing social and economic inequities.
Climate justice is about working at the intersection of the social, economic and environmental inequities that are tied up in climate change. When an organization takes a human-centered approach to human rights and development, it aims to include the voices of the most vulnerable and safeguard their rights.
Many businesses remain hesitant to incorporate climate justice in their sustainability strategies, and instead including it in their diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) agendas. When we consider DEI within the context of an overall sustainability strategy, however, we ensure that the voices of those most affected are present in the space where climate-related decisions are made. This helps businesses deliver greater impact that contributes to the resilience of these communities and their own operations. Read more…
