Inequality X Climate Change: Tackling Two Giants Together

In the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, a gathering of minds took place on November 8 and 9, 2023, to address two of the world's most pressing issues: Inequality and Climate Change

brought together researchers, development experts, and representatives from civil society and government, all united in their quest for solutions.

Development Dynamics, through Dr. MaqC Eric Gitau, Ph.D, its CEO and Principal Consultant, and Moses Mwai Wang'ang'a, its Impact and Innovation Analyst, actively participated in the two-day gathering and joined various sessions to discuss the interactions between inequalities and climate change and their impact on development.

The conference helped us draw inspiration from the rich discussions to inform our ongoing work.

Unraveling the Knot of Inequality: The Power of Diagnostics

The conference shone a spotlight on inequality diagnostics, tools that provide a detailed map of inequality within a country, revealing its various dimensions and how they evolve over time and across different regions. These innovative tools offer a deeper understanding of the underlying factors driving inequality, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions and design policies that effectively address these challenges.?

One of the pressing issues underscored during the session revolves around the heightened uncertainty prevalent in areas heavily reliant on stable incomes generated from fossil fuels. The ongoing shift away from fossil fuels necessitates a thoughtful examination of how these changes will impact the livelihoods of the working population. It is imperative to acknowledge that women and youth may disproportionately bear the brunt of exacerbated inequality issues arising from this transition.?

For instance, the Inequality Trends and Diagnostics in Kenya 2020, a joint report of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on Multidimensional Inequality, provides recommendations and diagnostic points for policymakers to address inequality in Kenya.?

In so doing, the conversations brought to light potential recommendations that included increasing access and quality of secondary and tertiary schooling for girls and women, improving access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and electricity, eliminating gender-based inequalities, and collecting more comprehensive data on assets, including land and housing units.?

Diagnostic points include the need to capture labor market information in household budget surveys, add time-use questionnaires to household surveys, and benchmark the range of asset data in regular sample surveys with comparable information from other countries.

A Two-Pronged Approach: Sustainability and Equity

We also attended a side session on "Inequalities and climate change: The interdependent imperative of the age," which emphasized the urgent need to break down the silos between sustainable development and equity. Panelists urged against a fragmented approach, advocating for a holistic strategy that tackles climate change and inequality in tandem. This integrated approach ensures that the transition to a low-carbon economy is not only environmentally responsible but also socially equitable, leaving no one behind. We emphasized that young people are the inheritors of the planet and the future leaders of the world – and thus, they have a vested interest in ensuring a sustainable and equitable future.

Key Takeaways: Charting a Course for Change

The conference yielded several critical insights, providing a roadmap for addressing the interconnected challenges of inequality and climate change:

1. Inequality and climate change are not isolated issues; they are intertwined and demand integrated solutions.
2. Inequality diagnostics are powerful tools for understanding the nuances of inequality, enabling informed decision-making and effective policy formulation.
3. Sustainable social and economic objectives must seamlessly integrate with climate action to ensure a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.
4. Addressing inequality and climate change requires a multifaceted approach encompassing environmental sustainability and social equity.

In the face of these intertwined challenges, we at DD are unwavering in our commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation. We will continue to partner with communities, organizations, and governments across Africa and beyond, harnessing the power of horizons, design, and systems thinking to create the future our descendants will inherit. Let us embrace the power of collective action and forge a path toward a world where equity and sustainability are not just ideals but lived realities.

This document/post is authored by MaqC Eric Gitau & Moses Mwai Wang'ang'a , who represented Development Dynamics at the International Conference on Inequality, Work, and Nature at the University of CapeTown, Graduate School of Business, Portswood Road, Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa.?