Climate Justice Dimensions: Approaching Loss and Damage and Adaptation towards a Just City

Abstract

The escalating occurrence of severe climatic events over the past decade, with a projection for further intensification due to the climate emergency, underscores the critical role of urban and regional planning in climate action towards just cities. Municipalities and regions are both significant contributors to CO2 emissions and are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. This paper contends that urban and regional planning must undergo a paradigm shift to address this challenge. Climate justice, encompassing dimensions of inequality and environmental equity, is a pivotal dialogue in these contexts. Through a comprehensive review, this study contributes to the evolving landscape of climate justice planning and policy, offering insights that could resonate across the Global South and beyond. As an illustrative case, the authors delve into Brazil’s climate challenges, discussing adaptation planning and post-disaster response, and emphasizing the need for localized and community-driven initiatives. This article delves into the interplay between Loss and Damage, adaptation, and just cities, with a focus on the Global South. The authors scrutinize the emerging discourse on Loss and Damage, its associations with climate impacts, and the quest for a just and equitable approach. The work advances the understanding of the distinction between adaptation and Loss and Damage actions, highlighting the significance of a dedicated fund for addressing Loss and Damage in vulnerable countries.