LONG READ: The RACE Summit: climate justice means justice for all

Guest blog from Angelica Ngai

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How intersectional is the climate sector’s definition of “justice”? Who really benefits from DE&I policies? How can individuals from marginalised backgrounds and those in positions of power drive inclusion through collective action? These were some of the central questions raised at the RACE Summit, which I had the privilege of attending two weeks ago.  

Hosted by the RACE Report, University College London (UCL), the Diverse Sustainability Initiative, and Wildlife and Countryside Link, the summit took place at UCL East’s new campus. The event featured three panel discussions with speakers from diverse organisations. It began with "Power Shift: Bridging the Diversity Gap – Anti-Racist and Inclusive Careers," followed by workshops on dismantling barriers and co-producing inclusion. The afternoon featured a discussion with three CEOs of leading climate organisations: Areeba Hamid, Joint Executive Director of Greenpeace; Manu Maunganidze, Co-Founder of Nature Youth Connection Education; and Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link. This post captures the key themes from these discussions, emphasising their relevance to climate justice.

Climate inequality and the imperialist mode of living

A key issue highlighted was the stark contrast between the Global South and North in climate justice. Areeba Hamid pointed out, “Climate is fundamentally about inequity… What is the point of telling the Global South to reduce emissions when the Global North is not addressing these inequities?”

Richard Benwell added, “Inequality from the extraction of resources and biodiversity shifts the burden onto the poor and marginalised.” The conversation immediately brings to mind the "Imperialist Mode of Living," a term used by sociologists Ulrich Brand and Markus Wissen to describe how the Global North's luxurious and comfortable lifestyle depends on extracting resources from the Global South.  

For instance, the UK exports plastic waste to Malaysia and Southeast Asia, causing pollution—a practice Greenpeace is challenging by holding companies accountable. Dr Kofi Amegah emphasised that "clean air is a fundamental human right," highlighting the need to address the disproportionate impact of poor air quality on vulnerable populations, particularly in the Global South. Air pollution causes 7 million deaths annually and contributes to severe health issues, underscoring the overlap between climate and social justice. Hence, the undeniable overlap between climate and social justice: when nature suffers, so do the most vulnerable and marginalised.  

However, these injustices aren't confined to the Global South. Manu Maunganidze points out that environmental injustice is equally present in cities central to the Global North as London. “Even in our most designed areas environmental injustice is present. The legacy of the industrial revolution means that traditionally poor areas are also the most polluted – residents in those areas are forced to inhale smog far more than those in more privileged areas.” This reality underscores the need for local as well as global solutions.

Why diversity is central to realising climate justice

Diversity is crucial in the climate justice conversation. Areeba noted that Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, grew up in a poor, polluted area of London. Khan’s campaigning for the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to reduce air pollution was one of the first to raise public awareness of how air pollution disproportionately affects People of Colour in London. This shows how leaders from diverse backgrounds can create more inclusive and effective policies. Initiatives like ULEZ can serve as models for cities worldwide, promoting cleaner air and greater climate justice. Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, WHO advocate for health and air quality, stated, “No matter where you live, you deserve to breathe clean air. It’s a social justice issue as we don’t all breathe the same air.”  

With the new Labour government in power, policies must continue to address the needs of the marginalised and vulnerable. Labour has pledged to develop 1.5 million new homes, with 50% being affordable housing, prioritising disused land now dubbed “the grey belt.” This plan also includes improving access to green spaces and preserving at least 30% of the UK’s land and marine areas by 2030. However, inflation has increased costs for developers, making affordable, green housing challenging, making it more important than ever that politicians actively engage with their local communities. Manu notes: “I get many requests from people in high positions of power to use our organisation to reach young people of colour. [The issue with this is] many of those in positions of power extract young people’s opinions and distil them into something that fits their socio-political-economic agenda. That is why genuine recognition is so important”.  

Where governments fail, however, climate organisations must hold governments accountable. Richard notes: “The only power we have is the power that is lent to us by the people in our communities – as the middlemen between the people and policymakers, environmental organisations have a radical responsibility to ensure the voices that grant them power are heard”. As such, the climate sector must conduct internal examinations, identify internal power imbalances and deconstruct any biases. Equally, Areeba adds, organisations must practice deep trust and radical transparency, setting granular public targets on diversity and inclusion so that they can hold themselves accountable.  

The road ahead: radical action Is required from businesses and governments alike

During the Q&A, an audience member asked: “How can a government – in resource-rich states such as Nigeria - provide for its people and embrace green technologies, without replicating the exploitative, extractive system that got us here in the first place?” This question arises amidst growing evidence that regions mining and exporting minerals for renewable technologies may face the same “resource curse” affecting many oil and mineral producers. The “resource curse” leads to rebellion, inter-communal conflict, and violent repression in resource-rich regions sustaining the Global North’s lifestyle. Congo, where armed groups fight over mineral-rich mines essential for electronics, exemplifies this issue. Hence, Andrew Gilmour’s call for businesses to conduct rigorous assessments of conflict risks when investing in renewables in a recent FT article. “Sustainability needs to apply not just to the production or storage of energy, but also to the rights of the affected communities. Companies and governments both have a role to play here in ensuring their supply chains do not foster abuses and conflict”.

Looking ahead to COP29 in Azerbaijan and COP16  in Cali, the need for diversity extends to global decision-making processes. COP29 will address critical issues like the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance for developing countries, setting more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and advancing the Global Goal on Adaptation. It will also tackle the complexities of Article 6, focusing on international cooperation and carbon market structures. In a year of increasing political polarisation and raging temperatures, COP29 will be crucial for bridging divides and steering the world towards the 1.5°C target. Conversely, COP16 aims to operationalise The Biodiversity Plan and publish The Biodiversity Plan agreed at COP15. The private sector's involvement is essential to the implementation of outcomes for both COPs. Businesses can lead by making becoming a Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures early adopters, actively investing in sustainable practices, and pushing for stronger government policies to support a just transition. This involves phasing out fossil fuels in their operations and promoting more progressive policies, signalling to their supply chains to follow suit and accelerate clean solutions. Additionally, the finance sector must bear the responsibility of aligning private investments with collective climate goals.

The RACE Summit was a truly enlightening experience that underscored to me the importance of initiatives like the Race Report, which encourage organisations to consider what diversity means to them and take concrete steps to improve inclusion. Signing up for the Race Report isn't just a commitment—it's an opportunity to be part of a larger movement striving for a more equitable and just climate future. Why not join this journey towards meaningful change and climate justice for all?