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Journal article
Climate action and sustainable development: equity, justice and inclusion in developed vs. developing economies
Equality, diversity and inclusion an international journal, pp.1-13
2026
Abstract
Purpose-This article introduces a special issue volume on climate action and sustainable development, with a central focus on equity, justice and inclusion (EJI). It examines how climate impacts and policy responses intersect with gender, labour and governance systems, applying an adaptation-maladaptation lens to identify challenges and opportunities for equitable and inclusive climate action. Design/methodology/approach-The approach synthesises multidisciplinary insights from seven articles spanning developed and developing economies. It employs an adaptation-maladaptation framework to analyse climate action through gendered experiences, policy design, labour transitions, and governance capacity. Findings-The articles highlight how climate change disproportionately affects those least responsible for its causes, with vulnerabilities compounded by existing socioeconomic and structural inequalities. Weak global emissions-reduction commitments have facilitated maladaptive practices-notably increased reliance on energy-intensive technologies-that perpetuate vulnerability. Across the volume, authors illustrate the need for gender-responsive policies, just transitions in labour markets and equitable governance mechanisms that integrate EJI considerations into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Originality/value-As an introductory article, this piece does not present original empirical data. Instead, it synthesises findings and identifies a conceptual gap-the under-theorised relationship between adaptation-maladaptation outcomes and EJI principles in empirical climate research. It concludes with a call for future research evaluating the long-term impacts of climate interventions on diverse and marginalised groups.
Details
- Title
- Climate action and sustainable development: equity, justice and inclusion in developed vs. developing economies
- Authors/Creators
- Subas P. Dhakal - University of New EnglandPeter Waring - Murdoch UniversityJulia Connell - University of Newcastle AustraliaJohn Burgess - Torrens University Australia
- Publication Details
- Equality, diversity and inclusion an international journal, pp.1-13
- Publisher
- Emerald Group Publishing
- Number of pages
- 13
- Identifiers
- 991005919749107891
- Copyright
- © Subas P. Dhakal, Peter Waring, Julia Connell and John Burgess.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Global Engagement & Transnational Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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