CDP recently hosted a webinar, Flood, Famine and Fire: Building a Climate Justice Analysis in Philanthropy, to explore how funders can help address climate change issues by building a more robust philanthropic response steeped in principles of climate justice. By recognizing pre-existing disparities, climate justice addresses them by boosting resilience, creating mitigation strategies and enhancing preparedness.

I found this definition of climate justice articulated by the Mary Robinson Foundation particularly helpful:

“Climate Justice links human rights and development to achieve a human-centered approach, safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable and sharing the burdens and benefits of climate change and its resolution equitably and fairly. Climate justice is informed by science, responds to science and acknowledges the need for equitable stewardship of the world’s resources.”

This definition, coupled with the IPCC sound of alarm, compels me to say that philanthropy must investigate its norms, values and practices in the sector. This is not a difficult call to action to respond to as initial steps to support climate justice are tangible, actionable and can be accomplished with little fuss.

The philanthropic approaches of policy and systems change, political capital and leadership, education and knowledge, organizational strengthening and community organizing, and leadership development can be deployed to support climate justice.

Read the full article about climate justice by Regine A. Webster at The Center for Disaster Philanthropy.