Socially just adaptation to climate change. An exploration of how far social justice is considered in local adaptations

Ensuring socially just adaptation responses requires, first, an understanding of which groups are most vulnerable to climate change impacts, and second, appropriate adaptation to ensure that their needs are met. Social issues related to adaptation are both diverse and contextually specific. They encompass both procedural justice (empowering communities to overcome a lack of social capital and institutional barriers to involvement in decision-making) and distributive justice (distribution of income, assets and opportunity).

The study had two key aims:

• explore existing approaches to local adaptation to climate change impacts and how these take account of social justice issues;
• support the development of just local responses to climate change by making recommendations for policy and practice.

The study provides a wealth of insights into how social justice can be incorporated into adaptation planning. It was informed by:

• a literature review of the theoretical concepts of social justice and climate change adaptation;
• a survey of local authorities’ climate change adaptation plans;
• case studies to investigate how social justice is taken into account in local adaptation planning and implementation.