Addressing climate risks through social protection

This position paper is a guide to the objectives and capacities envisaged for social protection in addressing the climate-related risks to be managed by the Red Cross Red Crescent. It is now evident that climate change is creating new risks and exacerbating existing ones, increasing poverty and compounding vulnerabilities.

Recent literature reveals that social protection can plan a role in improving the ability of individuals and communities to address the socio-economic impact of climate events in the short and long term. Social protection tools, such as cash transfer programmes and public works programmes, can prevent households from falling into or further into poverty due to the impacts of climate change and can encourage the development of climate-resilient livelihoods.