Climate justice & recovery post-COVID-19: Social & racial inequality

Global carbon emissions are expected to fall because high emitting industries and lifestyles have been hampered by lockdown measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Yet, this temporary relief for the climate has come with huge social and economic costs rarely seen in peacetime. In many industrialised it has been marginalised communities who bear the brunt of the social, economic and health impacts of COVID19. Yet the challenges are most intense in the developing world already grappling with the impacts of climate change, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, overcrowded shelter, food insecurity and insecure livelihoods. This pandemic serves as a terrible reminder that our health and our economies are not independent of the world around us.

The lockdown measures will end, but there is a risk economic stimulus packages may follow past examples of treating the economy as separate to the wider reality of our climate and the inequalities within our societies. Racial discrimination is one particular societal inequality that is intrinsically linked to environmental policymaking and one that must be addressed in order to have a truly just transition. Poorer, marginalised, and particularly black and minority ethnic communities are disproportionately affected by environmental and health issues arising from air pollution, waste management, energy production and mineral extraction.

There are growing calls to incorporate climate action and the concepts of just transitions and circular economies into coronavirus recovery strategies. The lockdown measures have already opened our imagination to a world with less emissions and cleaner air – with the UK and European Union recently bringing recovery agendas to climate negotiations and investment plans. If the world is to prevent dangerous levels of climate change and achieve a fair transition to a low-carbon and sustainable economy, a new normal must be reached that addresses the social, climate and racial injustices that have so far characterised high-carbon economic growth.

The questions for society and policymakers across the globe are: 1) how do we ensure the transition out of this crisis to a new normal is done in a manner that is equitable, fair and climate just for all?, 2) how do we support international efforts to build resilient, sustainable local economies in the era of climate change?, and 3) How do we build back better to ensure inclusively?

Join us for three presentations, Q&A and group discussions (entirely online) featuring:

• Professor Tahseen Jafry, Director of the Centre for Climate Justice, & Dr Sennan Mattar, Researcher at the Centre for Climate Justice, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Patrick Schröder, Senior Research Fellow of the Energy, Environment and Resources Programme, Chatham House
• Zarina Ahmad, Climate Change and Environment Officer, CEMVO Scotland

This webinar is an opportunity to hear from leading experts on a range of relevant topics and join the discussion on tackling climate change in a world after coronavirus. During registration, attendees will be invited to indicate their interest in a specific topic or region for breakout room discussions as part of this event.

This event will be hosted by the Centre for Climate Justice in partnership with Chatham House and is free to attend. If you have any questions about the event or taking part in future events, please contact Sennan Mattar at [email protected]