The impacts of climate change are not felt equally. Across the UK, lower-income households and vulnerable communities are already experiencing the greatest risks, from poorer air quality to rising energy bills. As the transition to net zero accelerates, how can we make sure our actions reduce inequalities rather than deepen them?
Why Climate Equity Matters
Climate equity is about creating a just and fair transition into a society where everyone can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. Yet, too often, equity is not fully embedded in the delivery of low carbon solutions.
Reaching net zero will require significant, system-wide change across housing, transport, and energy. Without careful planning, there is a risk that some of the actions taken to cut emissions could unintentionally worsen existing inequalities. For example, warmer summer temperatures in the UK are expected to affect low-income households and workers more severely than others (Resolution Foundation, 2023).
When understanding climate equity, it is important to distinguish between equity and equality:
Equity goes a step further than equality, by focusing on providing the specific resources and support each group needs to achieve fair outcomes. In the context of climate action, equality might mean offering everyone the same retrofit grants, while equity means targeting greater support toward those experiencing fuel poverty.
When climate policies are perceived as unfair, they lose public support and can deepen social divides. By centring equity, we can build inclusive and resilient communities capable of tackling the climate crisis together.
The Challenge
The public, private sector, and citizens across the UK are all working hard to implement interventions to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions in line with legally binding net zero targets. However, many initiatives do not sufficiently target the communities most vulnerable to climate change. Those who could benefit most from cleaner air, healthier homes, and lower bills are often least able to access climate interventions.
A clear example of inequity in climate action can be seen in home energy upgrades. Energy efficiency improvements are often accessible only to affluent homeowners, leaving renters and low-income households unable to implement these measures. This can result in poorer quality housing that is more likely to suffer from mould, draughts, extreme heat, creating an uneven distribution of the benefits of decarbonisation. This is illustrated in the chart below by the Resolution Foundation.
Building Equitable Climate Solutions
There are many interventions that are already in place across the UK aimed at reducing the inequitable outcomes of climate action, such as the Warm Homes Fund and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. However, achieving genuine climate justice requires a deeper shift in how we design and deliver interventions. Some further recommended areas for equitable climate action are listed below, inspired by our climate equity work with London Councils earlier this year (report available here: London Councils).
- Retrofit: Prioritise the retrofitting of social housing and target areas with high fuel poverty rates to reduce energy costs for those who need it most.
- Heating: Develop fair pricing models for sustainable heating, such as low carbon heat networks, through collaborating with operators.
- Renewable Energy: Support community energy projects that prioritise low-income residents and provide accessible technical guidance.
- Active Travel: Create accessible and inclusive transport networks. Features like dropped kerbs, wide pavements, and safe cycling routes ensure that all residents can participate in active travel.
- Green Skills: Providing accessible training and employment pathways in the green economy to ensure all residents can benefit from new low carbon industries.
- Nature: Expand equitable access to green spaces, introduce cooling infrastructure in high-density urban areas, and promote nature-based solutions that deliver health and community benefits.
What We Do
At City Science, we embed the principles of the just transition across our decarbonisation work. We collaborate with local authorities and public sector organisations to ensure that the shift to net zero benefits every community, not just those with the most resources. Below we outline some of our recent projects in this space.
- London Councils Climate Equity Research: We worked with London Councils to deliver a Climate Equity Research report, providing resident engagement-driven insights to help boroughs enhance their climate policies and deliver equitable solutions that benefit all of London’s diverse communities. This research created a strong evidence base that supports the London boroughs to make informed and equitable decisions in the transition to net zero. Click here for more information.
- London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) Just Transition Action Plan: We are developing a Just Transition Action Plan for the LLDC, identifying drivers and opportunities to enable an equitable transition to a net zero economy. This work focuses on maximising positive impacts for inclusive growth and ensuring that local residents living in and neighbouring the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park directly benefit from new opportunities in the green economy. Click here for more information.
A key part of both of these projects is direct community engagement. Listening to residents ensures that climate equity strategies align with what people actually need and value. By putting communities at the heart of planning and decision-making, we can create practical, inclusive, and lasting solutions.
These projects directly address the equity gaps that can emerge when climate action overlooks the lived experiences of local residents most affected by change.
Looking for Climate Equity Support?
Get in touch with City Science today to discuss how we can support your organisation in designing evidence-based, community-driven approaches that put people at the centre of climate action. Together, we can ensure that the path to net zero is fair, inclusive, and leaves no one behind.