Climate justice in Chennai: learning from the past and learning from the people

About the project

The Chennai Climate Action Plan (2023) acknowledges that marginalised communities, particularly those in informal settlements, are adversely affected by climate disasters such as floods and droughts. Adaptation measures under this plan can lead to the relocation of these communities, with wide-ranging financial, social and psychological impacts. 

This project will engage communities, civil society organisations (CSOs), and policy-makers to address the urgent need for participatory and just climate policies that integrate the lived experiences of those most affected. Project partners, Habitat Forum, will combine research, capacity-building, and policy advocacy to amplify vulnerable voices and develop inclusive climate action plans.

This will be achieved by: 

• Reviewing the effectiveness of disaster response measures from the past 20 years through desk research and community consultations. 
• Engaging civil society, government officials, and climate experts in dialogues to create a response framework for community consultations. 
• Producing a policy recommendation booklet on improved disaster response measures and sharing it with government officials. 
• Raising awareness among community leaders about Chennai’s climate action plans and the implications of climate change. 
• Convening dialogues at the settlement level between environmental activists, climate change experts and community leaders to exchange experiences and knowledge of climate change. 
• Working with community members to develop a draft settlement-level climate justice vision and action plan.
• Sharing the plan with policy-makers through public events and structured discussions.

As a result of the project it is hoped that vulnerable communities will gain the knowledge and tools to engage in climate governance, while policy-makers will benefit from actionable, community-rooted recommendations to create equitable climate solutions. By documenting effective disaster responses and advocating for participatory policy changes, the project aims to foster inclusive climate action in Chennai. 

Image: Milei.vencel, Hungary, via Wikimedia Commons