Climate change is increasingly recognised as a human rights issue with significant social justice impacts, referred to as climate justice.
This concept highlights how already marginalised and discriminated people and groups are and will be disproportionately impacted by climate change. This includes people experiencing homelessness, remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, women, the elderly, culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) and children.
CSOs in WA play a crucial role in supporting those communities and groups and in advocating for and leading a just way for climate action.
The Climate Justice & Resilience Toolkit supports Community Service Organisations to embed a climate justice and disaster resilience lens into their work.
We explore how climate change affects social justice, particularly for vulnerable groups like homeless individuals and remote First Nations communities.
The WA Community Sector Climate Justice Toolkit is part of the “Climate Justice and the WA Community Sector” project, led by Dr. Naomi Godden at ECU with local organisations.
Between 2019 and 2020, ECU researchers and community leaders identified a need for more resources to support climate justice in community services. Supported by Lotterywest, the toolkit is being created with input from Aboriginal Elders, people with lived experiences, and other community members. Once complete, training workshops will help organisations implement the toolkit across WA.
The Climate Justice and Resilience Toolkit is co-produced by People with Lived Experience, Aboriginal Traditional Owners, community service organisations and climate justice researchers at Edith Cowan University’s Centre for People, Place and Planet. It is funded and supported by Lotterywest, the Commonwealth Government and the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
The Climate Justice and Resilience Toolkit provides free tools and resources for community service organisations to infuse climate justice and disaster resilience into their operations, policies, programs and practices. It is part of a long-term project to support the community service sector to respond to the social justice impacts of climate change.
Climate justice is not just about environmental stewardship; it embodies values of fairness, equity, and respect for the rights and dignity of humans, all living beings and Country.
Climate justice calls upon us to address the systemic inequalities that are worsened by climate impacts. Disaster resilience involves preparing and responding to disaster events like floods and wildfires. It is about making sure communities, Country and infrastructure can survive and recover from these events.
By prioritising and enacting principles of climate justice, community service organisations can mitigate harms caused by climate change and advance social justice. They can develop policies and practices that promote equality and inclusion in a changing climate.
This values-driven approach fosters a society where everybody has the opportunity to thrive in a sustainable environment, ensuring a world that is equitable and resilient for generations to come.
You can begin your climate justice and resilience journey by looking at the programs and services you already offer. Climate justice is not about adding new initiatives but reflecting on how your current work aligns with principles of equity and resilience. Consider how climate change and social injustices impact people, communities and service users. Use the tools within the Process Hub and Resource Library to help identify gaps in practice and policies, set actionable steps to embed a climate justice and resilience lens, and build a community-led response that integrates Lived Experiences and encourages long-term resilience.
To browse all the process tools, visit the Process Hub.
Browse all the process tools resources you will need to navigate the toolkit in our Process Hub.
For additional support, the Resource Library offers a range of resources and actionable steps to deepen your journey towards climate justice and disaster resilience. Explore tools, case studies, and best practices to help guide your organisation’s commitment to community-led action for climate justice.
To access previous newsletters, recent reports and upcoming events, and to learn more about other organisations involved in climate justice and disaster resilience, visit our “News and Other Resources” page.
The Climate Justice and Resilience Toolkit is the result of collective work, bringing together People with Lived Experience, Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Owners, community service organisations, and climate justice researchers. Their shared contributions ensure the Toolkit is inclusive, culturally responsive, and grounded in diverse perspectives.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Custodians of Country throughout the Australian continent and their continuing connections to land, waters, community and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to their Elders past, present and emerging.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to their Elders past, present and emerging.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Custodians of Country throughout the Australian continent and their continuing connections to land, waters, community and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that this website may contain images, voices or names of persons who have passed away, which may be distressing. All care is taken to ensure cultural respect, however if something causes distress please let us know through the Toolkit Feedback Form.
This website explores the impacts of climate change, disasters, and climate injustices, which may be distressing. Please proceed with care and seek support if needed. Please visit the ‘Climate Emotions’ section for practical tips for care.
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