This guide is for artistic producers, creative practitioners, climate campaigners or environmental researchers interested in using artistic methods to engage with climate justice. The guide discusses what we mean by climate justice and why the arts are relevant to achieving climate justice, offers case studies from around Scotland and practical advice on how to take on similar work yourself, and ends with links to further resources.

Access the complete guide here

Contents 

• What do we mean by climate justice? 
• Why are arts & culture and climate justice connected? 
• Case studies 
• Tips on how to approach an arts-led project that engages with climate justice 
• Useful organisations and networks 

What do we mean by climate justice? 

Climate justice is a term that describes how the impacts of and responsibility for climate change are highly unequal. Those who are worst affected by climate change are the poorer and more disadvantaged. These are generally those who have contributed least to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause it. This includes poorer nations, ex-colonies or indigenous peoples internationally, while in Scotland specifically it includes working class people, disabled people, ethnic minorities, and others.  

Climate change also results from and exacerbates existing inequalities and injustices like colonialism and inequality, as recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Therefore, action on climate change needs to be fair and equitable and should counter rather than worsen existing inequalities. Climate justice has been championed by grassroots campaigns for decades and is now recognised by the Scottish Government as part of their own climate change policy. 

The worst inequalities and injustices associated with climate change tend to occur on an international level, between richer nations that have contributed more to the causes of climate change and poorer nations, which have contributed less and are less able to adapt to its effects. For example, the whole continent of Africa has only produced 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions and yet the majority of countries most vulnerable to climate change are in Africa, according to analysis by the Climate Vulnerable Forum. Key international climate justice issues include the legacy of colonialism, reparations from richer nations to pay for loss and damage occurring in poorer nations as a result of climate change, and the rights of indigenous peoples. You can read more about international climate justice issues here.