How can you design equitable and just climate adaptation?

1 Understand the context

Before you start designing, you need to understand the context of the problem and the people you are designing for. This means conducting thorough research and analysis of the drivers, impacts, and responses to climate change in the specific location and situation. It also means engaging with the stakeholders and beneficiaries of your design, especially those who are most vulnerable, marginalized, or affected by climate change. You need to listen to their needs, preferences, values, and aspirations, and learn from their knowledge, experiences, and coping strategies.

2 Co-create the solutions

Designing equitable and just climate adaptation is not a one-way process, but a collaborative and participatory one. You need to involve the stakeholders and beneficiaries of your design throughout the design process, from ideation to implementation to evaluation. You need to respect their agency, autonomy, and diversity, and empower them to contribute their ideas, feedback, and resources. You also need to ensure that your design is culturally appropriate, context-specific, and locally owned.

4 Promote the co-benefits

Designing equitable and just climate adaptation is not only about meeting the immediate and urgent needs of the present, but also about creating the opportunities and benefits for the future. You need to consider how your design can enhance the well-being, livelihoods, and capabilities of the stakeholders and beneficiaries of your design, not only in terms of climate resilience, but also in terms of other dimensions, such as health, education, income, or social cohesion. You also need to consider how your design can contribute to the broader goals and values of sustainable development, such as environmental protection, human rights, gender equality, or social justice.

5 Evaluate the outcomes

Designing equitable and just climate adaptation is not a one-off or static activity, but a dynamic and iterative one. You need to monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of your design, not only in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, but also in terms of equity and justice. You need to use indicators and methods that capture the diverse and complex aspects of climate adaptation, such as adaptation outcomes, adaptive capacity, or maladaptation. You also need to involve the stakeholders and beneficiaries of your design in the evaluation process, and use the results to learn, improve, and communicate your design.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?