In November and December, the KIN ACT work programme organised a series of workshops on climate justice at local, national, and international levels. For KIN and many of its partners, just climate transitions are a key principle underlying all projects and activities. The aim of the workshops was to collaboratively develop a working definition of climate justice based on cases brought forward by participants and to identify how this concept can be practically applied.
The workshops also provided a platform to share experiences and build a network where partners can strengthen one another in the pursuit of greater climate justice. Participants included representatives from the research field, national advisory bodies, the national government, and various (activist) organisations.
Developing a Definition of Climate Justice
The starting point for designing a working definition was a conceptual definition derived from existing theories and policy documents:
“Climate justice aims to ensure fairness in avoiding and addressing the consequences of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecological breakdown. This should occur through an inclusive process that equally considers the interests, needs, risks, capabilities, opportunities, and vulnerabilities of everyone and everything (human and non-human), both now and in the future.”
Key underlying questions in formulating this definition include:
- Who is disproportionately affected by the climate crisis (e.g., location, generation, those outside the societal norm, animals, biodiversity)?
- Who influences and makes decisions, and for whom is policy created (and for whom is it not)?
- Who benefits, and who does not?
The principle is to continually ask: what is the most just course of action?
Themes of Climate Justice
The working group identified several themes closely associated with the concept of climate justice:
- Recognitional Justice: Are all groups, especially vulnerable or marginalised ones, acknowledged, included, and involved?
- Distributive Justice: Are risks, costs, and benefits distributed fairly?
- Restorative Justice: Have past injustices been corrected or compensated?
- Structural Justice: Are systemic barriers being addressed?
- Procedural Justice: Are decision-making processes fair and inclusive, considering all interests?
In break-out sessions, these definitions were made more specific, and further consideration was given to their practical application.
Break-Out Sessions on Climate Justice
A brief look back at the break-out sessions: What is just? And who decides?
The sessions revealed that the current definition is often perceived as a negative one—focusing on what justice is not. This raises the question: who determines what is fair and just, and who holds the power and influence? Furthermore, the process of crafting a definition must account for existing injustices and their interconnectedness. Suggestions included considering legal frameworks, such as the right to livelihood security, a safe environment, and health from a human rights perspective, and enforcing or strongly recommending these principles.
Participants expressed a desire for a practical checklist to make the definition more actionable. These tools could also be incorporated into a handbook on communicating climate justice. Moreover, it is essential to make the assumptions underlying the proposed definition more explicit. Climate justice necessitates making a fundamental choice: whose or what interests take precedence?
Case Studies: Who Is Your Target Audience?
For this session, participants were invited to present their own experiences or cases for collective analysis through the lens of climate justice. A key takeaway was the importance of identifying the specific groups involved in each case and understanding their position in society. Are they already marginalised by systemic injustice? What drives their resistance, and what are their needs?
The way these groups are engaged is also crucial. The narrative, tone, and timing of engagement can significantly influence outcomes. For example, in one case on parking policy, the goal was to introduce more green spaces in parking areas. However, this met resistance because people were concerned that trees would dirty their cars. Many participants depended on their cars for work (e.g., night shifts or transporting cleaning supplies). Understanding such underlying concerns is vital for devising effective strategies.
KIN’s Next Steps on Climate Justice
The session concluded with a plenary discussion to determine follow-up actions. A summary of the discussions and outcomes from the workshop series will be included in KIN’s Handbook on Climate Justice and in future academic publications. Updates and potential follow-up sessions will be shared with participants.
