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From Climate Crisis to a Just Transition: The Role of Social ProtectionIYCW-ASPAC Continental Seminar, September 25, 2024, Indonesia

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The International Young Christian Workers- Asia Pacific (IYCW-ASPAC) organized a dynamic Social Protection and Climate Justice seminar held in Sancanaga Tourist Village, Bandung Indonesia last September 25, 2024. It draws attention to the interrelated challenges of climate change and social inequality. The activity brought together climate activists, trade union members, local communities, and representatives from different national movements of YCW to explore possibilities for how social protection can play a crucial role in advancing climate justice, particularly for the most vulnerable sector.

 

Key Topics and Plenary Debates

The seminar focused on the relationship between social protection and climate justice. The discussions highlighted that climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities and worsens the already existing inequalities. Factory and industrial workers, low-income families, youth, women, children, and Indigenous groups and communities often bear the impact of climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme heatwaves.


Anwar “Sastro” Ma’ruf, the regional coordinator of Asia Roundtable on Social Protection (AROSP), emphasized in his presentation that “The rapid acceleration of Climate Change increases the socio-economic risks people face. With these challenges, social protection must be inclusive in climate action and just transition. We believe that Social Protection reduces people’s vulnerability to climate change by providing income security and effective access to health care.”

The issue of Climate Justice is not limited to reducing carbon emissions, it also needs to address the inequities that arise from the impacts of climate change. Social protection systems—like universal healthcare, income support, and emergency relief—are crucial means to help vulnerable populations.

 

Climate Change Raising Injustice


Climate change has a profound impact on the Garments, Textile, and Footwear Industry (GFTI), as Mr. Rizki Estrada, coordinator from Asia Floor Wage (AFW), pointed out in his presentation at the plenary.  “Factories and supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. Climate change is intensifying water scarcity in Asia-Pacific regions. Dyeing and finishing processes in textile manufacturing require vast amounts of water and with limited water supply, this could limit production capacity and endanger the community.”

The environmental impacts of textile and garment manufacturing processes are highly localized to where production occurs. The communities surrounding these factories are significantly impacted in terms of health, and quality of life, and, in many cases, affects their livelihoods from farming and fishing.

Therefore, Multi-National Fashion Brand Companies should be responsible for water usage and cleaner production and operations management. Likewise, these branded companies with main offices in high-income countries should pay the loss and damage in production countries. The national government on the other hand should increase the monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations.

 

Promoting Climate-Resilient Social Protection Systems

The panelists highlighted the discussion on the necessity of establishing climate-resilient social protection systems that can mitigate the impacts of climate change while promoting long-term sustainability.  They stressed the need to integrate climate risk assessments into social welfare programs and the national and local government must provide enough budget for it for all its citizens.

Mr.  Anwar concluded, Strengthening social protection is an important climate change adaptation strategy, especially in countries where social protection coverage is low. We must guarantee that social protection programs are adaptive and universal. This means equal access to essential services like healthcare, child and family benefits, education, unemployment protection, housing, and pension.”

 

Call for International Solidarity


The plenary clarifies the need for international solidarity and financial support to help developing countries build social protection systems that are resilient to climate change. Basma Mickael, the International President of IYCW, emphasizes the importance of the Paris Agreement as a critical step in the global fight against climate change. “Asia is the least responsible for global carbon emissions but is facing the highest risks from climate change. Wealthier countries that historically contributed more to climate change should provide financial support to help developing countries fund Social Protection. Social Protection is about recovery. Rich people and wealthier countries can easily recover from the impact of climate change, but poor people and poor countries cannot. However, with Social Protection, they can. We need to develop our international solidarity and cooperation to not leave people with nothing.”




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