This is how we integrate just resilience into our work
In the following text highlights some examples of how just resilience is integrated into our materials and tools.
Examples from SMHI
The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) has prepared various types of materials and tools to support and inspire climate change adaptation efforts. Much of this material is now several years old and needs to be supplemented with a justice perspective. Work to integrate justice into this material is therefore underway. Below, we briefly describe the progress made thus far.
In 2023, we conducted a survey in order to understand what justice in climate adaptation meant in a Swedish context, what work is being done in this area and what support and tools different social actors would like to have at their disposal. Interviews were conducted with a number of municipalities and county administrative boards all over Sweden, as well as government agencies and researchers. These interviews reveal a knowledge gap concerning justice and how it can be integrated into climate adaptation work, as well as the need to integrate justice perspectives into existing tools. It was also apparent that particular crocc-cutting attention needs to be paid to gender equality and Sami rights.
Klimatanpassning.se
A consultant was engaged to review the information, articles and images on the website klimatanpassning.se, the Swedish online portal for climate adaptation, from a justice perspective. The content and tonality of the website was examined and the review led to a number of recommendations concerning both changes to existing text and images and how work should be conducted in the future.
Case studies on klimatanpassning.se
Case studies of climate adaptation measures have been compiled on the website over the years aiming to highlight concrete examples of measures implemented around the country to inspire further work.
As part of efforts to ensure that aspects of justice are addressed in future case studies, new questions have been added to the questionnaire on which they are based. These include: “Who has participated in developing the measure?” “Who benefits from the measure?” and “Has the measure created added value for the community?”
A couple of examples have also been developed with a specific focus on justice:
Example: Rain playground in Gothenburg – a playful solution to a wet challenge
Example: The climate adaptation of Sapmi communities through collaboration
Create Your Future – a workshop tool
The workshop tool promotes visualization of what a climate adapted society could look like in 50 years. Here, the workshop texts have been reviewed from a justice perspective and slides with information on just resilience has been added to the introductory presentation.
A climate adaptation toolkit
In order to support municipalities in their climate adaptation work, SMHI developed a climate adaptation toolkit with the aim of providing a structured working method. Here, the different steps of the toolkit has been reviewed from the different just resilience dimensions: distributional, procedural and recognitional – and with a specific focus on gender equality and Sami rights. The emphasis has been on increasing awareness of and raise questions about aspects of justice when using the toolkit.
Climate adaptation toolkit (in Swedish) External link.
Below is a summary of the dimensions of justice that are highlighted at each step of the guide. In practice, this is a matter of integration and asking questions during the process. The work should be coordinated with existing sustainability and gender mainstreaming efforts.
Summary: how just resilience was implemented in the toolkit
Step 0 – Motivate
This step addresses the question of why it is important to work with climate adaptation and lays a knowledge foundation on the impacts of climate change.
The step now includes an introductory text on just resilience. The importance of an inclusive decision-making process and synergies through coordination with other initiatives is highlighted. Understanding the effects of climate change on vulnerable groups is essential. To facilitate communication about justice, three slides have now been added to the introductory presentation.
Step 1 – Establish
In this step, a working group is established, and visions and goals for the work are developed.
To make it easier to find synergies, the municipality's gender equality coordinator is suggested to be included in the list of potential members of the working group. The focus of justice integration has been on ensuring that the process promotes broad participation and includes diverse perspectives.
Step 2 – Analyse
A picture of the municipality’s climate challenges and vulnerabilities in various societal functions is developed during this step.
The step involves identifying impacts on vulnerable groups and areas. Several dimensions of justice are integrated, such as the importance of including various forms of knowledge, perspectives, and needs - both within and beyond one’s own organization.
Step 3 – Identify
Measures to address climate hazards, consequences and vulnerabilities that may arise due to a changing climate are identified in this step.
When selecting measures the perspective of who benefits or is disadvantaged is highlighted as a key parameter. Several dimensions of justice are integrated into this step, such as the importance of broad participation and meaningful dialogue with the Sami people (Sweden’s indigenous population). Having a justice perspective can enhance the effectiveness of the work.
Step 4 – Prioritise
The purpose of this step is to establish a systematic approach when selecting and prioritizing between different adaptation measures.
By including aspects of justice in this step, the risk of negative side effects from measures can be reduced. This step also includes information about the importance of incorporating many different perspectives. A measure that addresses a climate impact but is perceived as unfair may be difficult to gain acceptance for among the municipality's residents.
Step 5 – Implement
The purpose of this step is to provide an overview of the work and clarify what needs to be done in order to implement the selected climate adaptation measures for the municipality.
Benefits of finding synergies with other initiatives such as sustainability and gender equality are highlighted. It is important to consider that communication about the work should be tailored for different target groups. For example, a report can be complemented with a website or information in other languages.
Step 6 – Follow up
The purpose of this step is to provide guidance for the regular follow-up and evaluation needed in climate adaptation efforts.
The follow-up now includes questions that address just resilience. One example is to consider, when evaluating extreme weather events, whether any group was disproportionately affected. In this step, the importance of communication to reach different target groups has been emphasized.