ILO Report: Social Protection Crucial For Mitigating Climate Change Effects

Governments are not fully leveraging social protection to combat climate change and ensure a fair transition, according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report. The World Social Protection Report 2024-26 reveals that over half of the global population now has some form of social protection, an increase from 42.8 per cent in 2015.

Despite this progress, the report highlights significant gaps in coverage, particularly in countries most vulnerable to climate change. In the 20 most climate-affected nations, 91.3 per cent of people lack any social protection. This figure translates to 364 million individuals without coverage. Expanding the scope, in the 50 most climate-vulnerable countries, 75 per cent of the population remains unprotected.

The report underscores that children are disproportionately affected, with 76.1 per cent lacking effective social protection globally. Additionally, there is a notable gender disparity; women's coverage lags behind men's at 50.1 per cent compared to 54.6 per cent.

The ILO Report finds that on average, countries spend 12.9 per cent of their GDP on social protection, excluding health care. High-income countries allocate about 16.2 per cent of their GDP to these measures, while low-income countries spend only 0.8 per cent. These low-income nations, which are often the most affected by climate change, require an additional US$308.5 billion annually to provide basic social protection.

Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General, emphasised the universal impact of climate change: "Climate change does not recognise borders, and we cannot build a wall to keep the crisis out. The climate crisis affects us all and represents the single gravest threat to social justice today."

The report stresses that social protection can play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and aiding societies in adapting to new environmental realities. Effective social protection systems can help communities transition smoothly towards sustainable futures.

However, many countries experiencing severe consequences from climate change are ill-prepared to manage its effects on both the environment and livelihoods. The report calls for international support to help these nations meet their social protection needs.

In summary, while there has been progress in expanding social protection globally, significant gaps remain, especially in regions most vulnerable to climate change. Addressing these gaps is essential for promoting social justice and ensuring a just transition towards sustainability for all communities worldwide.

With inputs from WAM