The world is running out of time to ensure a sustainable future, warns the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present crisis that is exacerbating social inequalities, economic instability, and environmental degradation.
Despite years of warnings and growing scientific evidence, the response from governments, businesses, and societies remains fragmented and insufficient. The challenge is not only to reduce carbon emissions, but to integrate climate action with social justice, sustainable development, and economic transformation. This is the essence of climate resilient development (CRD), a concept that calls for a radical shift in how we address climate challenges and shape our future.
Why are We Failing?
The current trajectory of global development is deeply flawed. Political and economic systems prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability. The dominance of GDP growth as the primary measure of progress has led to environmental destruction, increased inequality, and failure to adequately address climate change. Governments are trapped in a cycle of crisis management, responding to economic recessions, conflicts, and health emergencies like COVID-19, while sidelining urgent climate policies.
Even when climate action is taken, it is often compartmentalized: mitigation (emission reduction) and adaptation (dealing with climate impacts) are treated as separate problems instead of interconnected challenges.
This fragmented approach weakens overall resilience, leaving vulnerable populations at greater risk. Moreover, financial and technological resources are concentrated in wealthier nations, deepening global inequalities and limiting the ability of developing countries to respond effectively.
The Cost of Inaction
The economic and social consequences of inaction are overwhelming. If global warming continues unchecked, climate-related damages could reduce global income by $38 trillion by 2049. The longer we delay action, the higher the cost of adaptation and mitigation. Extreme weather events, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse will disproportionately affect the poorest communities, who have contributed the least to climate change.
Beyond a certain threshold—past 1.5°C of warming—some climate solutions may no longer be effective. Water scarcity, crop failures, and the loss of habitable land will push millions into displacement and exacerbate conflicts over resources. Climate change is not just an environmental problem; it is a humanitarian crisis, a security threat, and an economic catastrophe waiting to happen.
What Can Be Done?
To move towards climate-resilient development, we need a systemic change. This requires a fundamental transformation of governance, economic priorities, and social values. CRD is not about isolated policies or technological solutions; it is about integrating climate action into every aspect of development.
Some key strategies include:
- Comprehensive urban planning: Cities must go beyond traditional development models and invest in solutions that integrate mitigation and adaptation. For example, green infrastructure—such as urban forests, wetlands, and permeable surfaces—can reduce flood risks, lower urban temperatures, and improve air quality.
- Equitable distribution of resources: The transition to sustainable development must not deepen existing inequalities. Wealthier nations and corporations have a moral responsibility to support climate action in vulnerable regions through technology transfer, financial aid, and fair trade policies.
- Inclusive decision-making: Indigenous knowledge, local experience, and community-driven solutions are essential for effective climate action. Policies should be shaped by diverse voices rather than being dictated by top-down institutions that prioritize economic interests over environmental justice.
- Redefining economic success: Overcoming GDP as the main indicator of progress is essential. Alternative models, such as the Doughnut Economy framework, prioritize social well-being and ecological balance alongside economic prosperity.
- Strengthening global cooperation: Climate change knows no borders. It requires coordinated efforts at all levels: local, national, and international. Strengthening climate agreements, enforcing accountability measures, and fostering cross-sector collaboration are critical steps toward meaningful change.
Cape Town: A Case Study on Climate Resilience
The city of Cape Town provides a compelling example of climate resilient development in action. Historically marked by the inequalities of the apartheid era, Cape Town has faced significant challenges, including water scarcity, energy crises, and the growth of informal settlements. However, its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2022–2027 represents a significant shift toward sustainable urban planning.
The IDP prioritizes climate action by integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies into urban planning. Key initiatives include disaster risk reduction programs, improvements in informal settlements, and investments in renewable energy. By incorporating equity and justice into climate policies, Cape Town demonstrates that climate resilience is not just about environmental sustainability, but also about addressing historical injustices and ensuring access to basic services for all citizens.
A New Policy for Climate Action
Achieving climate-resilient development requires a radical reconsideration of policy. The current global system, dominated by short-term political cycles and corporate interests, is ill-prepared to address long-term climate challenges. A new political approach must place social justice at the heart of climate action, ensuring that those most affected by climate change have a voice in defining solutions.
Climate change amplifies historical injustices. Many of the communities most vulnerable to climate impacts are those that have been systematically marginalized—whether through colonial exploitation, racial discrimination, or economic exclusion. Effectively addressing climate change means dismantling these injustices and creating a more inclusive and participatory governance model.
The Time to Act is Now
The window for action is closing rapidly. Every delay in reducing emissions and implementing sustainable policies locks us further into a future of escalating climate disasters and social unrest. However, the crisis also presents an opportunity: by embracing climate-resilient development, we can create societies that are not only more sustainable, but also more just, equitable, and prepared for future challenges.
This transformation requires bold leadership, systemic change, and the collective will of communities around the world. The question is not whether we can afford to act, but whether we can afford not to act. The choice is ours, and the time to act is now.
Note: This text is a reflection derived from an article published in Nature Climate Change in November 2024, which involved presidents, vice presidents, and lead authors from the IPCC’s Working Group II.
To learn more:
Siri H. Eriksen, Nicholas P. Simpson, Bruce Glavovic, Debora Ley, Edward R. Carr, Luis Fernández-Carril, Bronwyn Hayward, Mike D. Morecroft, Minal Pathak, Joy Jacqueline Pereira, Hans-Otto Pörtner, Debra C. Roberts, Alex C. Ruane, Roberto Sánchez-Rodríguez, E. Lisa F. Schipper, William Solecki, Lindsay C. Stringer, Edmond Totin, Arlene Birt & Frode Degvold. (2024). “Pathways for urgent action towards climate resilient development.” Nature Climate Change, 14, 1212–1215. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02190-0
Luis Fernández Carril is Academic Manager of Sustainability at Ruta Azul, the Sustainability and Climate Change Plan of Tecnológico de Monterrey. His main research lines are: pathways for climate-resilient development and climate justice.
