Here’s why inclusivity is at the heart of the Race to Resilience

Putting the support and empowerment of women, civil society, youth, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and the most vulnerable and marginalized communities at the heart of the Race to Resilience is critical to ensuring a just and effective global climate action.  By harnessing the collective wisdom and strength of diverse communities, the campaign develops more effective, sustainable, and culturally relevant resilience solutions which in turn foster a sense of shared responsibility and ownership over the global challenge of climate change.

In addition, having a multitude of campaign partners embodies its commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that decisions are made collectively and reflect the needs of a broad spectrum of stakeholders. It’s like saying, “We’re all in this together, and we’re stronger when we work as a team.” At the core is the urgent need to leave no one behind and accelerate equitable adaptation that benefits the most vulnerable communities facing the impacts of climate change. Partners´ pledges concentrate in the most vulnerable developing and least developed countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, East Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Countries with the majority of pledges are Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and India.

The following snapshots of solution stories highlight our partners’ efforts in driving an all-inclusive approach towards achieving campaign goals.

A social enterprise supporting small-scale fishing communities with data, traceability, and market platforms in Africa was implemented by the Ocean Risk Resilience Action Alliance, ABALOBI in South Africa (Also expanded to Seychelles, Palau, Kenya, Madagascar, Ireland, Chile, and Comoros). Which resulted in 72,986 small-scale fisheries as direct beneficiaries.

The project focuses on the financial management needs of coastal communities and provides access to savings accounts by offering a suite of tools through a smartphone application. It is also exploring insurance products tailored to the unique challenges of small-scale fishers.

In the same vein, the Extreme Heat Protection Initiative: A Parametric Insurance Supporting Women Workers was implemented by the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India. It Initially targeted 21,000 SEWA women in seven trades, with plans to scale to the broader 2.6 million SEWA member community that spans 18 states and expand to other countries in Asia and Africa. The initiative combines risk transfer through an Extreme Heat Income Microinsurance Product with risk reduction measures, heat early warning systems, and financial inclusion efforts. By offering parametric insurance, safety equipment, and early warning systems, this initiative aims to provide income support and enhance the resilience of women in the informal sector against the adverse impacts of extreme heat.

Inclusivity is not a mere checkbox to tick off in the Race to Resilience; it is the very foundation upon which a sustainable and equitable future rests. By embracing diversity in all its forms, the campaign aims to harness the collective strength of humanity to overcome the challenges posed by climate change. The true success of the Race to Resilience lies not just in building physical defences against a changing climate but in strengthening the bonds that unite us as a global community, ensuring that no one is left behind in pursuing a resilient and sustainable future.