Universal Social Protection: an enabler of climate action and a catalyst for a just transition and greater social justice
Universal Social Protection supports climate mitigation and adaptation (and ensure public support for climate policies), shows the International Labour Organization (ILO) latest World Social Protection Report 2024-2026.
Yet, “3.8 billion people are still entirely unprotected from life’s challenges and the impacts of climate change”. Greater investment in and expansion of social protection systems is needed to effectively tackle the dual crises of climate change and social inequality.
As climate change wreaks havoc on vulnerable populations, the International Labour Organization (ILO) latest World Social Protection Report 2024-2026 calls for urgent, transformative action to build universal social protection systems that not only alleviate immediate hardships but also empower communities to adapt and thrive amid a changing climate.
The ILO’s report emphasizes that social protection is not just a safety net—it’s a crucial human right that can significantly aid society in weathering the storms of climate-related crises. Currently, the staggering number of individuals lacking access to comprehensive social protection leaves them at the mercy of the climate crisis, subject to the impacts of disasters like floods, droughts, and economic upheaval.
A central finding underscores the necessity of integrating climate risk into social protection frameworks. By doing so, we can provide support for marginalized groups, particularly those who depend on agriculture and low-wage jobs, shielding them from the most severe repercussions of climate extremes. The report makes it clear: robust social protection systems can help individuals manage the economic shocks stemming from natural disasters while simultaneously nurturing sustainable livelihoods.
Moreover, the ILO makes a compelling economic argument: investing in social protection pays dividends. For every euro spent, significant returns can materialize, driving down poverty rates and stimulating economic growth—especially in the world’s most vulnerable regions. This underlines that social protection is not merely an expense but a strategic investment.
The report make it clear that without strengthening and scaling up effort to develop comprehensive universal social protection systems and floors, we risk exacerbating the dual crises of climate change and social inequality.
SOLIDAR supports the ILO’s call for greater investment in and expansion of social protection systems to support general climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
SOLIDAR sees universal social protection as an enabler of climate action and a catalyst for a just transition and greater social justice.
The EU has a great role to play to simultaneously close social protection gaps and realize climate ambitions working in alliance with local and European CSOs and ensuring its interventions keep a strong focus on human and social development.
Resources:
International Labour Organization (ILO) latest World Social Protection Report 2024-2026, Summary
International Labour Organization (ILO) latest World Social Protection Report 2024-2026, Full Report
