Equity in human adaptation-related responses: A systematic global review

•We present a large-n global assessment of equity in adaptation responses•Paper examines the extent to which marginalized groups are considered responses•Responses Africa and Asia more likely consider than other regions•Increased attention how is integrated into urgently needed As climate change actions increasingly undertaken worldwide, it imperative that responses integrate considerations their planning implementation. Early case studies have shown adaptive land-use cities across world, hasve reproduced uneven risk exposure socio-economic vulnerability when does not who benefits or loses from adaptation. Yet there no large-scale systematic assessments social being implemented adaptations. Through an extensive examination peer-reviewed research documenting responses, this article analyzes eight historically were implementation regions sectors. This status where, how, what incorporated adaptation, providing baseline against future progress can be measured. Growing evidence suggests do incorporate may worsen inequality increase vulnerability. Using data review empirical on (n = 1,682), we regions, sectors, groups. Roughly 60% literature considers by reporting involved Articles those focusing poverty reduction most frequently equity. Equity was less Europe, Australasia, North America, as well focused cities. Income-based inequity gender, age, Indigenous status. Ethnic racial minorities, migrants, people with disabilities rarely considered. Attention levels forms practice ensure just IntroductionClimate disproportionately affects society while, many cases, these contributed least carbon emissions.1Althor G. Watson J.E.M. Fuller R.A. Global mismatch between greenhouse gas emissions burden change.Sci. Rep. 2016; 6: 20281Crossref PubMed Scopus (132) Google Scholar, 2Martinich J. Neumann Ludwig L. Jantarasami Risks sea level rise disadvantaged communities United States.Mitig. Adapt. Strateg. Glob. 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Sci. 77: 252-259Crossref (82) Although alone able holistically capture all aim achieve transparency replicability methods universal inclusion based specific question.19Ford Findings analyses generally indicate still largely early stage high-income and/or larger countries report low-income small countries.20Reckien Scholar,33Araos Austin S.E. cities: assessment.Environ. 66: 375-382Crossref (159) Scholar,34Lesnikowski S.J. National-level adaptation.Nat. 261-264Crossref (107) ScholarTo our knowledge, has yet question whether Existing comparative topic relies key documents, tends one sector region pathways.10Eriksen Scholar,35Persson Remling efficiency finance: initial experiences Fund.Clim. 488-506Crossref (57) Scholars produced number in-depth exploring relation constitutes rich body examining equity-related processes outcomes different contexts. aims expand complement findings picture whether, By adopting question, examine sectors.Drawing Mapping Initiative (GAMI), international collaborative systematically human since 2013 1,682 articles), GAMI asks: What adaptation-related directly reduce risk, exposure, To develop dataset, team identified 50,000 articles Scopus, Web Science, Scholar. then used combination machine learning manual narrow down dataset. included, (1) related, (2) (not conceptual theoretical simulated responses), (3) responding (4) go beyond 2013, cutoff Intergovernmental Panel (IPCC) Fifth Report, 2019, (6) tangible taken risks vulnerabilities. total included final coded 70 variables (see full codebook supplemental information).We assessed aspects fairness framework composed two components: procedural distributive justice. additional components justice, recognition outside paper's scope. context refers form inclusion, participation, influence stages process, including decision-making, planning, implementation, evaluation initiatives.36Holland Procedural political capabilities transformational change.Environ. Polit. 26: 391-412Crossref Distributive fair allocation intended arise adaptation.25Stults Scholar,27Conevska Scholar,37Grasso An ethical finance.Glob. 2010; 74-81Crossref (76) Since structurally constructed individuals runs along lines class, race, ethnicity, indigeneity, status, identities important comes whose voices matter, affected positively negatively plans.We acknowledge complexity recognize diversity theories definitions utilized scholarship fit precisely within categorizations presented framework. We causal relations interconnected nature others, addressing issues broader participation deliberations—a central element justice—leads resources harms—a justice.18Pelling However, examinations scope paper.In paper, operationalize consideration binary variable indicating socially process. initiatives. captures role both recipients implementers autonomous themselves. Our draw prior conceptualized refer equitable distribution provision goods services, step sufficient) toward ensuring outcomes.38Paavola Adger Fair change.Ecol. Econ. 56: 594-609Crossref (372) Scholar,39Paavola Justice change.Tyndall Cent. Work. Pap. 2002; 23: 37Google ScholarWe apply quantitative categories understood experience (low-income women, peoples, elderly young people, ethnic disabilities) documented participants (distributive justice) process (procedural justice). study reports, Goals academic experimental procedures details). supplemented qualitative examples describing vary following thematic relevant IPCC:40Fifth - vulnerability.https://archive.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/Google “Poverty, livelihoods, sustainable development;” “Health, well-being, communities;” “Cities, settlements, infrastructure;” “Food, fiber, ecosystem products;” “Water quality sanitation;” “Ocean ecosystems.” Finally, types (“behavioral/cultural responses,” “ecosystem-based “technological/infrastructure “institutional responses”) (Table 1).While paper work measure evaluate bolster hamper (or they make difference). Indeed, evaluating methodologically complex conceptually fraught.41Ford Araos post-2015 agreement.Nat. 5: 967-969Crossref Further, long term monitoring outcomes, feasible due limitations. analysis, hence, offers necessary first characterizing globally, literature.ResultsOver half response, either identifying group (59%) incorporating (52%) Figure 1A) (48%). Low-income (reported 37% articles, see 1B), followed women (20%), peoples (10%), (8%), youths (5%), minorities (4%), migrants (4%). Individuals considered, 1% group. “Other” category characteristics disadvantage distinct appear literature. includes, marital assets (education, farm size, tenure).We found strong correlation That is, members experiencing highly (phi coefficient [ϕ] 0.699, p < 0.001). Correlations integration high (refer scores).We measured reported multiple computed ϕ coefficients cases where Elderly youth together (ϕ 0.355 implementation), 0.308). Youth similarly correlated 0.307), 0.301). discussed income occasionally conjunction another 0.1 except elderly). while independently, same much 0.201 implementation).Global South equityArticles regions. Seventy-four percent 2A). Among these, (in 55% (34%) (11%) 2B). Youth, 10% reported. logistic regression indicates 2.3 times include (p 0.0001) scores regions).Figure 2Consideration regionsShow captionWhen termed “Equity considered” any considered.”(A) Consideration (planning implementation).(B) each implementation).View Large Image ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)In Small Island States, over Asia, (37%) again reported, fo