Extreme weather events are deeply intertwined with global patterns of inequality. The poorest and most vulnerable people bear the brunt of climate change impacts yet contribute the least to the crisis. As the impacts of climate change mount, millions of vulnerable people face disproportionate challenges in terms of loss of jobs, extreme events, health effects, food security, access to water, migration and forced displacement, loss of shelter and community ties, and other related risks.
Some people are more vulnerable to climate change than others. For example, workers in sectors such as agriculture, fishing, and tourism rely on natural resources that are particularly sensitive to increasingly unpredictable weather and seasonal patterns. Female-headed households, children,?persons with disabilities,?Indigenous Peoples?and ethnic minorities, landless tenants, migrant workers, displaced persons, older people, and other socially marginalized groups often have fewer financial and other resources to cope with and recover from shocks which might threaten their wellbeing and the wellbeing of their families. The root causes of their vulnerability lie in a combination of their geographical locations; their financial, socio-economic, cultural, and social status; and their access to resources, services, and decision-making power.?
The poor are often not just among the most vulnerable to climate change, but also disproportionately impacted by measures to address it. These impacts can include increased costs of living, loss of livelihoods, and limited access to resources and support systems, which exacerbate existing inequalities and poverty trends. In the absence of well-designed and citizen-centered policies, efforts to tackle climate change can have unintended consequences for the livelihoods of certain groups, including placing a higher financial burden on poor households. For example, policies that expand public transport or carbon pricing may lead to higher public transport fares which can disproportionately impact poorer households. Similarly, if not designed in collaboration with beneficiaries and affected communities, approaches such as limiting forestry activities to certain times of the year could adversely impact indigenous communities that depend on forests year-round for their livelihoods. In addition to addressing the distributional impacts of decarbonizing economies, it is also important to understand and respond to the broader social, cultural, and political economy dimensions. This includes reaching consensus on the types of transitions required¡ªeconomic, social, and beyond¡ªand identifying opportunities to reduce inequalities throughout these processes.
While much progress has been made on the science and the types of policies needed to support a transition to low carbon, climate-resilient development, a challenge facing many countries is engaging citizens who are concerned that they will be unfairly impacted by climate policies. Citizen-centered programs play a vital role in ensuring that resources are used efficiently. Engaging people in shaping climate action is equally critical for achieving lasting impact. This means ensuring transparency, access to information, and active citizen engagement on climate risks and green growth. Such involvement can help build public support to reduce climate impacts, overcome behavioral and political barriers to decarbonization, as well as foster both new ideas and a sense of ownership over solutions.
Moreover, communities bring unique perspectives, skills, and a wealth of knowledge to the challenge of strengthening resilience and addressing climate change. They should be engaged as partners in resilience-building rather than being regarded merely as beneficiaries. Research and experience show that community leaders can successfully set priorities, influence ownership, as well as design and implement investment programs that are responsive to their community¡¯s own needs. A 2022 ?recognizes the value of diverse forms of knowledge¡ªsuch as scientific, Indigenous, and local knowledge¡ªin building climate resilience. Innovations in the architecture of climate finance can connect communities and marginalized groups to the policy, technical, and financial assistance that they need for locally relevant and effective development outcomes.
Last Updated: Aug 15, 2025
