Guaranteeing the essentials in life is the route to faster climate action

At a time of rising inequality and global instability, the links between climate change and social policy are becoming increasingly apparent. The effects of the climate crisis are unfair and will hit those living in poverty the hardest, making them financially worse off, with poorer health outcomes and even lower living standards.

However, measures taken to combat climate change can also be seen as unfair, with people questioning what’s being asked of them in the face of pressing day to day priorities, like managing the cost of living. Decisions that address climate change must take this into account, or they risk backlash which will slow down progress. Policies need to balance environmental action with a focus on how to improve people’s lives, rather than entrenching the challenges they face.

This is why we are supporting the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s call on political leaders to ‘Guarantee our Essentials’. According to the foundation, just last month seven million low income households were forced to go without essentials like food, adequate clothing and basic toiletries. They are calling for urgent and long term action to alleviate these challenges.

Climate change makes life more challenging for low income householdsIt might seem strange for an environmental organisation to support a campaign that doesn’t explicitly mention the environment. But the direct and indirect effects of climate change will make choices about where to spend limited funds even more challenging. Direct effects might include living in lower quality housing that is more susceptible to weather extremes and indirect effects will include food price rises due to extreme weather impacting crop yields. A fair transition is essential, and this will involve making sure everyone has the essentials they need to live their lives, while responding to the climate crisis and supporting those living through its effects. An integrated approach that ties social justice and environmental action together will benefit us all.

Well tailored climate solutions can improve lives across the UK. One clear example of this is ‘warm homes’ policy. We all deserve to feel comfortable in our own homes but high gas prices mean millions still struggle to pay their energy bills and protect themselves against extreme weather, whether that’s heatwaves or the cold. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A package of measures offering emergency support to millions, to fund insulation and upgrade their home heating, and a rapid move away from expensive gas to cheaper, homegrown renewable energy, would help to lift people out of poverty at the same time as reducing carbon emissions.

Fears about what climate action means for people are legitimateIt is not just about the policies but also about the messages. The public care deeply about climate change and nature but, if action feels as if it is being inflicted on them without them seeing any personal benefits, it can lead to polarised views. High levels of public support depend on good public engagement, presenting people with the information they need on the choices available and the consequences.

At the moment, many are sceptical that those who can’t afford to make the changes asked of them will be properly supported. These are genuine and legitimate fears. They can’t be ignored and should be respected, and policies should expressly address them.

We are living through the critical decade to reverse the climate and nature crises. Time is running out to keep climate change within safe limits. If we don’t succeed, poverty will continue to grow. As the election approaches, it’s more important than ever that we nurture and grow the public and cross party consensus on the need for urgent climate action. The move to a zero carbon economy has to bring everyone along with it, or it just won’t happen fast enough. The government is pivotal to making that happen. Groups working on poverty and the environment must unite to show the future government that tackling both together helps us all and that’s why the moment is now to ‘Guarantee our Essentials’.