Understanding climate risks through an intersectional approach

Building resilience to climate change and natural hazards requires socially inclusive action. There is increasing recognition in the climate adaptation space, both in research and policy deliberations, that an intersectional approach is needed to reach the most vulnerable people. As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change observes, risks vary across people within societies depending on intersecting inequalities and context-specific factors such as culture, gender, religion, ability, disability and ethnicity. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change also demonstrates an emphasis on intersectional approaches as countries move towards the global goal on adaptation. Applying intersectional approaches in practice, however, remains less clear.

The project will develop country case studies that explore how to apply an intersectional approach to climate adaptation and resilience. Each partner will also collaborate with two or three equity organizations focusing on the rights of women, people with disabilities, younger or older people, or other underrepresented groups who will be engaged in design, data collection and analysis and dissemination. The aim of this work is to generate evidence-based recommendations for adaptation practitioners and policymakers that can inform relevant processes and policies and ensure that climate action works for everyone.

This project is part of the Climate Adaptation and Resilience initiative (CLARE) jointly designed, funded and run by IDRC and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. CLARE is an ambitious five-year initiative to enable socially inclusive and sustainable action to build resilience to climate change and natural hazards across Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.