Intersecting realities: What does more inclusive locally led adaptation look like?

The realities of the impacts of climate change have become more manifest in recent years across the globe, as seen through extreme weather events, rising temperatures and a surge in climate-related diseases. In this evolving landscape, the concept of locally led adaptation (LLA) emerges as a crucial strategy. But what does a truly inclusive LLA look like?

The bitter truth is that developing countries, which contribute the least to the global climate crisis, are suffering the most from its impacts. These nations, often with the fewest resources, are bearing the greatest burden. 

Zambia is an example of this harsh reality. The country is currently experiencing severe drought, prompting President Hakainde Hichilema to declare it a national disaster and emergency. This drought poses a significant threat to Zambia’s food security and power generation capacity.

The CJC Programme in Zambia, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and the African Centre for Trade and Development (ACTADE) hosted a learning session to discuss how LLA looks like when intersectionality is intentionally considered as part of an intervention. 

The CJC is a flagship programme funded by the Scottish Government, under its Climate Justice Fund, which implements community-led projects in Zambia, Malawi and Rwanda. It is the single largest international development programme implemented by the Scottish Government.

The objectives of CJC are to empower communities to identify their own priorities to be addressed through climate justice support and build resilience to the local material and social impacts of climate change. It also seeks to empower the most marginalised within communities to participate and take action and enable communities to advocate for climate justice and local equity.

The initiative works to create long-term, sustainable change within communities in line with the three pillars of climate justice; namely, procedural, transformative and distributive justice.  

The intersectionality session provided valuable insights into making LLA more inclusive. Speakers shared several key points during their presentations. The following are some of the critical takeaways.

"Can’t plan for me without me"

Local communities need to speak for themselves and identify the capacities they want to strengthen. Effective climate adaptation requires planning with communities, based on their unique interests and needs. 

"We need to understand the local context and complexity to design appropriate actions that reflect the will and the preferences of those who can easily be left out because they are socially excluded and to ensure adequate resource mobilisation," said Una May Gordon, the Senior Advisor of the International Institute for Environment and Development.

Effective climate adaptation requires that the interests of local communities be mainstreamed in government and civil society organisation (CSO) planning processes. Unfortunately, many local communities are unaware of the means and ways they can participate in locally led climate actions. This leads to significant gaps in awareness creation and sensitisation. 

Intersectionality in planning

To contribute to true equality, it is essential to understand the different realities that surround us. Social constructs are not universal; they are diverse and dynamic, shaped by various cultural, historical and socio-economic factors.

"The worst of climate change will be felt by the least prepared and most disadvantaged. An inclusive approach to climate adaptation does not need too much thinking, it requires more listening to those who can easily be left out because they are socially excluded," said Bruce Chooma, the Disability Advisor of the CJC Programme in Zambia.

"Locally led and innovative adaptation must be disability-inclusive for it to be truly empowering. This calls for the design of appropriate actions in response to the expressed will and preferences of persons with disabilities and ensuring that adequate resources are mobilised and channelled to those who may require more intensive support to exercise their rights and participate on an equal basis with others in climate actions," he added.

The CJC Programme in Zambia has developed a Gender, Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) strategy where the inclusion requirements for women, young people and persons with disabilities reinforce how these marginalised groups are not similar because the levels of vulnerability, aspirations and interests vary within groups. The GEDSI strategy is providing for not less than 5% of all project benefits to persons with disabilities.

"Nothing about us without us"

Deliberate community-based support is crucial because effective climate adaptation isn't just about individuals—it's about the entire community they belong to. Intersectionality, the understanding of how various social identities intersect and affect experiences of discrimination and privilege, cannot be an afterthought. It must be deliberately integrated into every intervention for it to succeed.

Inclusive climate adaptation demands that we listen to and prioritise the voices of all social groups, particularly those who are marginalised. Women, young girls, youths and people with disabilities often face compounded challenges from climate change and social inequalities. Recognising these intersecting vulnerabilities is essential for crafting effective and sustainable adaptation strategies.

Advocating for dignity, fairness, respect and equality is crucial. Ultimately, this is about people.

By embracing intersectionality and advocating for inclusive approaches, we can foster resilience and equity in the face of climate change. Let's work together to ensure that every community has the tools and support needed to thrive in a changing climate.