Climate change refers to long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns[1]. The shifts can be because of natural causes but largely as a result human activity. Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, with far-reaching impacts on the ecosystems, human systems and economies. The impact of climate change on ecosystems includes: increased floods, storms, droughts, increased pests, severe fires, changes in species and populations and changes in the timing of natural events and cycles. The impact on human systems includes: water scarcity, low agriculture/food production, low animal and livestock productivity, reduced fish yields and aquaculture production, increased infectious diseases, malnutrition, mental health problems and displacement[2]. The economies are also affected leading to decrease in tourism and recreation industries, reduced livelihoods of fishers and farmers and damages to infrastructure as a result of flooding.
The World Bank estimates that by 2030, under high climate change scenarios, 39.7 million people will be pushed into extreme poverty in the South of the Sahara[3]. Currently, the consequences of climate change and the need for robust social protection measures are being felt. The World Social Protection 2024 – 26 by the ILO highlights critical gaps in social protection coverage, particularly in Africa. While coverage has increased from 15.2 percent in 2015 to 19.1 percent, this improvement is overshadowed by the vulnerability of populations in countries affected by climate change. In the 20 countries identified as most vulnerable to climate crisis, only 8.7 percent of the population has access to social protection benefits leaving 364 billion people wholly unprotected[4].
Social protection comprises policies and programs designed to free individuals from poverty and vulnerability through the provision of transfers safety nets like cash transfer programs[5]. Social protection can greatly support households in the face of a rapidly changing climate. It helps households cope with the immediate impacts of climate related shocks. Social Protection involves an ongoing effort to establish measures, such as those addressing droughts, floods, and other climate-related disasters[6].
Africa contributes approximately 4 percent of global carbon emissions, yet it bears the greatest impacts of climate change which means that social protection initiatives are essential to support vulnerable communities. The continent is home to some of the world's most vulnerable populations, who are increasingly exposed to the detrimental effects of a warming planet. These impacts are manifesting in various ways, including extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, and rising sea levels, all of which exacerbate existing challenges such as poverty and inequality.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is also a significant driver of social and economic inequality. The poorest communities, who have the least capacity to adapt, are the most vulnerable and susceptible to climate-related food price hikes, which can push them further into poverty. They often live in areas more exposed to natural hazards, such as flood-prone regions or arid zones, and when disasters strike, they tend to lose a larger proportion of their assets and livelihoods compared to wealthier groups.
In addition, the degradation of ecosystems; caused by factors like deforestation, desertification, and pollution; disproportionately affects these communities. Many of the poor rely heavily on natural resources for their survival, such as farming, fishing, and gathering. As these resources become scarcer or less productive due to environmental changes, their ability to sustain themselves diminishes, leading to deeper poverty and heightened inequality[7].
Climate change is perpetuating and increasing poverty. The poor are more vulnerable to climate related food price hikes, are often more exposed to hazards, experience loss to disasters and are disproportionately affected by ecosystem degradation as they are most reliant on natural resources for their livelihoods[8]. Climate change intensifies inequalities, disproportionately affects populations in vulnerable situations and creates new intersecting vulnerabilities across different groups, including marginalized groups based on factors like gender, age, race, geographical location and disability among others.
The socioeconomic impacts of climate change also decrease overall well-being across the non-poor and contribute to making new groups vulnerable affecting societies. The effects of climate change are not uniform, with vulnerable populations often experiencing the most severe impacts[9]. Communities in low-lying coastal areas, arid regions, and developing countries are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, which manifest as food insecurity, displacement, and loss of livelihoods[10]. In response to these challenges, social protection becomes crucial, aiming to address the vulnerabilities aggravated by climate change. (more…)
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