Equity in climate action: how can equity considerations be integrated into SECAP planning, implementation and monitoring processes?

As the relentless effects of climate change continue to unfold, it is becoming increasingly clear that its impact is far from uniform. The effects of climate change will affect some people more than others. 

This is why we must strive to achieve equitable outcomes for vulnerable groups when developing and implementing climate change strategies. This goal can only be realised by making equity an operational principle embedded within all facets of municipal governance, management, and operations. 

Incorporating Equity Considerations 

The Covenant of Mayors guideline “Embedding Equity Considerations in Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Planning (SECAP) Implementation and Monitoring Processes” illustrates how the processes of developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating a SECAP can provide practical and effective entry points to support local authorities in achieving this goal. 

Embedding equity considerations in policies, plans and programmes is a journey with no definitive end point. It requires authentic commitment, critical self-reflection, capacity building investments and the empowerment of citizens and communities to actively participate in the dialogue on climate. This must be followed by courageous and continuous action and review.  This guideline does not prescribe a rigid set step, nor an exhaustive list of possible actions. Rather it serves as a source of inspiration, pointing out potential entry points at different stages of the SECAP process for embedding concrete equity considerations and actions.

In this way, the guide also serves as a tool to support local and regional authorities in building their internal capacity around equity, justice and addressing vulnerability. It provides critical questions that public officials and climate practitioners are encouraged to individually and collectively reflect and act on.  

In the spirit of peer learning and exchange, the guidebook also spotlights ongoing equity-related efforts by local authorities. These exemplars serve as motivation and inspiration for other actors to take similar steps in their climate action initiatives.