Report: Centre on human rights to prevent further ‘greenlash’ in cities worldwide

• A new report published by the Institute for Human Rights and Business explores the impacts of climate action on inequality in eight cities across four continents, highlighting policies that are tackling social problems and climate change simultaneously, as well as those that are further exacerbating inequalities
• It highlights the urgent need for building policies that integrate social justice with environmental sustainability to prevent further “greenlash” — public pushback against climate initiatives.
• Report provides 44 recommendations for businesses and policy-makers at national and regional levels to help grasp the enormous opportunity for social and economic innovation through climate action
• ‘Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment’ - is the culmination of a two-year study of eight cities: Lagos, Prague, Lisbon, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Jakarta, Valparaíso, and Athens.

Visit the report website

The Institute for Human Rights and Business has today published a new report examining the impacts of climate action on equality and social justice in eight cities worldwide: Lagos, Prague, Lisbon, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Jakarta, Valparaíso, and Athens.

The report points to examples of green initiatives that are simultaneously tackling climate change and social problems, but also highlights examples of decarbonisation efforts that are exacerbating inequality. Problems such as “renovictions” and “green gentrification” are driving polarisation in many cities and stalling progress to net zero. Policymakers across Europe have responded to growing ‘greenlash’ by watering down or delaying climate pledges, but this wastes time, money and perpetuates the disastrous impact of climate change.

The report also uncovers inspiring stories of national and local government, community organisations and businesses working together to ensure the costs of the green transition don’t disproportionately fall on marginalised groups.

Policy changes including human rights due diligence on construction and real estate supply chains, expanded participation in transition plans to include civil society and community groups, and integrated land use and transport planning, could ensure a ‘just transition’ in the built environment is realised.

Giulio Ferrini, Head of Built Environment at IHRB, said: 

“We have to reach net zero. But a narrow focus on decarbonisation risks fast-tracking us into an even greater inequality crisis.

“Contrary to populist narratives, equity and decarbonisation are not mutually exclusive, but mutually reinforcing. In fact, putting people first is the key to unlocking and accelerating climate action in our cities. This report, and the examples and tools it brings to light, provides a solid foundation on which decision-makers and investors in particular can apply rights-respecting approaches to the green transition. Only then can we create the fair and sustainable societies we need for people and planet to survive and flourish.”

44 recommendations

The report recommends governments, businesses and investors apply human rights frameworks to green initiatives so that solutions to social problems are baked into climate action, increasing their public support. In Europe, the report recommends that countries embed a “just transition approach” to the implementation of the Energy Performance Buildings Directive (EPBD), which could entail prioritising funding for lower-income groups, introducing safeguards to prevent renovictions and green gentrification, and upskilling programmes for existing construction workers.

The report provides steering principles for governments and investors to ensure climate action in the built environment upholds human rights. It identifies existing human rights frameworks that can be applied to green initiatives so that solutions to social problems are baked into climate action, increasing their public support.