Illustration by Maqué Studio
Climate change is not a distant threat but has already a damaging impact on the daily lives of those living in areas mostly affected by this phenomenon. Equality Bodies have a key role to play in restoring access to full equality for individuals suffering the damages of the current climate crisis.
The Defender of Rights is working to address the unequal impact of climate change, particularly in the French overseas territories. With its local delegates, the institution handles individual discrimination complaints and advocates for improved access to healthcare, education, and essential services.
A report by the Defender of Rights on Children’s rights to a healthy environment recently highlighted how climate change exacerbates inequalities in access to resources, water, healthcare, and education, as well as the right to live in a healthy environment. The report offers actionable recommendations to restore equality for those most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.
Are you interested in knowing more about how Equinet and Equality Bodies work to ensure equal access to fundamental rights in this era of climate change?
- In 2023 Equinet published a report called “Preliminary assessment of the EU Green Deal’s impact on equality. Survey of current practices and needs of European Equality Bodies“, authored by Siel Hoornaert, Katrien van der Heyden, and Babs Verhoev: the paper assesses the equality dimension of the EU Green Deal, discussing the results of a survey among Equinet Members to understand their knowledge and engagement on climate change; Equinet and the authors then held a roundtable to the findings of the Equinet research on climate change and Equality Bodies, which aimed at informing Equality Bodies about their role and potential regarding climate change policies so that they are able to define a set of actions to efficiently intervene in this innovative field.
- In 2024 Equinet published a blog post, authored by Marta Pompili, Equinet Policy Officer, titled “Gender Equality and Climate Change Mitigation: How Can the Two Go Hand in Hand?“, which discussed the integration of gender equality into climate change mitigation to enhance policy effectiveness, by ensuring women’s participation in decision-making, promoting education, and addressing intersectional challenges.
- In 2024 Equinet held a seminar called “Climate Change and its Equality Implications in Focus: Tools for Equality Bodies“, aimed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of Equality Bodies regarding climate change and its impact on equality, discussing avenues to prevent and mitigate climate and social inequality, and fostering dialogue among Equality Bodies, policymakers, experts, and civil society to promote climate justice. Following the seminar, Equinet produced a handbook summarizing the key findings and providing further insights on the intersection of climate policies and equality.
- In 2025 Equinet will host an online seminar titled “The Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change on Vulnerable Communities“, targeting members of the Equinet Climate Change & Equality Cluster, civil society organizations, NGOs, and researchers to enhance understanding and collaboration on climate-related equality issues. Stay tuned!