Why climate justice?
The issue of climate change has become more urgent in the 21st century and research has shown us the huge contribution that militarism has made to the growing crisis. The production and use of weapons, the destruction of infrastructure through bombing and chemical weapons, and the dependence of armies on fossil fuels are all significant. Countries affected by war and internal conflict are often also those experiencing drought and floods as a result of climate change which can also be a trigger for conflict as groups compete for scarce water and other resources.
At the same time, countries most affected by climate change are crippled by huge debt repayments and still suffering from decades of exploitation. Global North funding which should be allocated to climate justice is instead poured into weapons. Once again, women and children are those most affected by climate change and climate justice has therefore become a key issue for WILPF internationally and in the UK.
We bring a feminist lens to challenge environmental imperialism and the impact of colonialism on the climate change agenda. This understanding is necessary if we are to achieve real climate justice for all.
Our key focus areas
Our aim is to increase the number of people engaging with the issues of the climate crisis. We especially highlight the link with militarism and the need for social and racial justice.
We lobby the UK government to stop expenditure on upgrading defence and nuclear weapons, to stop allowing arms fairs, and to stop expanding fossil fuel extraction. Instead, we lobby the UK government to scale up investment to remedy the climate and nature crisis.
We work very closely with the WILPF International Environment Working Group (EWG) and several of us are members.
The three main work areas of the EWG are:
- fossil fuels and demilitarisation
- food and water security and biodiversity
- oceans, and peace on the seas
Our approach
We adopt this approach to climate change to promote an inclusive, equitable and sustainable response to the climate crisis.
Acknowledge and highlight the gendered impacts of both war and climate breakdown. Understand that women often bear the brunt of coping with these crises due to societal roles that assign them responsibilities such as food management, water procurement and caregiving. However, it’s essential to avoid stereotyping women as victims and also recognise the impacts on other marginalised groups.
Empower women to actively participate in decision-making processes related to climate policies and peace-building efforts. Ensure that women’s expertise and contributions are valued and included in local, grassroots sustainable solutions. However, avoid portraying women as perfect peace-builders or sustainability saviours without addressing the need for structural change.
Recognise and challenge the dominant political and economic structures that drive both climate crises and militarism. This includes confronting extractivist capitalism and militarism, which prioritise profit and domination over sustainability and peace. Advocate for structural changes that prioritise interdependence, collaboration, and care for both people and the planet.
Critique and challenge the narratives that perpetuate gendered stereotypes and justify destructive behaviours such as the exploitation of natural resources and militarised responses to conflict. Question the association of masculinity with dominance and aggression, and advocate for alternative narratives that prioritise cooperation, diplomacy and environmental stewardship.
Lobby for policy changes at both national and international levels that prioritise climate justice and peace-building through a feminist lens. This includes promoting gender-balanced representation in decision-making bodies, investing in sustainable development and peace initiatives, and reallocating resources from military spending to climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Additional reading
Our approach is described well in this article in Broken Rifle Magazine in 2020, written by WILPF UK member Claire Duncanson: Women, War and Climate Change – Claire Duncanson and Carol Cohn in Broken Rifle Magazine
Our impact
In advance of the United Nations COP26 conference in Glasgow in November 2021, we created a display called “Climate Justice Exhibition: Exploring global solutions to the climate crisis that promote peace and justice.”
The exhibition explores an issue currently ignored in international climate agreements and public debate, namely how the military (nuclear and non-nuclear) contributes to the climate crisis.
Recent news about our climate justice campaign
Our partnerships
We work closely with other organisations to achieve our goals.
How to get involved
Become a member of WILPF UK to help campaign for climate justice. Visit our membership page to learn more or contact our team to discuss involvement.
Working group meetings
The climate justice working group meets online using Zoom on the last Tuesday of the month at 09:30.
Contact details
Cath Attlee, WILPF Executive Committee member, represents the climate justice working group on the Executive Committee.
For all questions, please use our contact form or general email on the Contact us page.
