Climate Just Tool

Summary

Climate Just is an information tool designed to help with the delivery of equitable responses to climate change at the local level. Its main focus is to assist the development of socially just responses to the impacts of extreme events, such as flooding and heatwaves, as well as supporting wider climate change adaptation. It also includes issues related to fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

What does the website contain?

The website contains new data resources and collates existing data and information into user-friendly summaries and guidance. It includes:

• Information and presentations on why socially just responses are important and relevant. Presentations have been updated in 2017, particularly to provide more context for users from Scotland and Wales.
• Evidence summaries explaining who is socially vulnerable and which places are disadvantaged with respect to different climate change impacts and why
• New map data showing where extreme events like floods and heat waves are likely to have the biggest impacts as a result of the characteristics of people and communities. Most recently new social vulnerability and social flood risk data have been added for the whole of the UK
• Information about how communities may experience further disadvantage through policy, such as through the effects of energy and carbon reduction measures on fuel poverty
• Suggestions for local decision-makers on what to do to respond and how to start taking action
• Case studies to show what others have done and how they have done it
• Signposting to other tools and resources to help with sourcing additional evidence and materials to support action.

Aim

• Become more aware of the key issues associated with developing socially just responses to climate change
• Understand the range of people who might be vulnerable to the impacts of different forms of flooding, heat-waves and other climate-related events
• Assess local patterns of social vulnerability and connect these to actions which take account of the needs of vulnerable communities
• Identify who needs to be involved in developing socially just adaptation responses to take account of climate impacts
• Develop ideas on possible strategies and actions that can be taken to address the issues
• Make a case for equitable action taking account of the policy, ethical and legal issues involved
• Learn from others through case studies based on local action to embed socially just responses to climate change
• Find out about other relevant resources and materials that can be used to help support the development of just responses to climate change.

Who is the website for?

The information in this website is for anyone with an interest in addressing the negative impacts of climate or weather related events, but is especially targeted at public service providers, those working with vulnerable communities such as local authorities and their partners in social care, health, housing and the voluntary and community sectors.

Map Tool

The ClimateJust Map Tool is a free GIS web application designed to assist public service providers in addressing climate justice issues. Its aim is to provide resources and insights which help users to assess social vulnerability and climate disadvantage.