Case Study: embedding Inclusion in Climate Action
Climate change disproportionately affects socially vulnerable groups. Therefore, climate action and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) are interconnected and should not be treated independently. This is what the British Government points out in the learning paper “Embedding inclusion in climate action: Lessons from the UK PACT Green Recovery Challenge Fund Portfolio”, published in January 2024.
One of the case studies present in the material is the project “Integration of climate risk assessments in Brazil”, implemented by WayCarbon and the 2 Degrees Investing Initiative (2DII), with funding from the UK PACT program (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions)
Carried out between February 2021 and November 2022, one of the project’s focuses was the development and implementation of a climate neutrality strategy with a fair transition approach for the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES).
How was the work done?
To incorporate an inclusive approach, the team conducted a just transition assessment. This involved desk research, along with questionnaires to monitor aspects of GESI and just transition during the implementation of the climate strategy.
Main results
As a result of the project, BNDES adopted a climate neutrality strategy from the perspective of just transition and will use it to guide its investments until 2050. These can strengthen lines with socio-environmental co-benefits such as the Climate Fund, integrate just transition indicators such as generation jobs and reinforce the bank’s practices for monitoring the effectiveness of its outlay.
What is the UK PACT?
Funded by the United Kingdom’s International Climate Finance, the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) program provides training and technical support to help countries with high greenhouse gas emissions that qualify for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and have the potential for a high reduction in emissions.
According to Nathalia Pereira, Sustainable Finance Coordinator at WayCarbon, “among the various projects already implemented and under development by WayCarbon with UK PACT, the focus on expanding the technical and institutional capabilities of beneficiaries represents significant strength, based on theories of robust change. Contributing to the expansion of climate financing that catalyzes a fair and resilient transition has been a driver of our work.”
