Climate change and social justice issues are deeply intertwined. Overall, marginalized communities contribute the least to climate change, yet they are the ones bearing the largest brunt of its impacts. These communities also tend to be excluded from climate-related decision making, and benefit the least from climate actions and policies. It is critical, therefore, that climate action is enacted with equity at the centre.

By acting on climate and equity synergies, we not only achieve our climate goals, we also:

• Improve the livelihoods of equity-deserving communities
• Build healthier, more liveable communities for all residents
• Help address historical and ongoing oppression, and advance anti-racism and reconciliation
• Maximize participation and engagement opportunities for all residents
• Advance the co-benefits of climate action (e.g., physical and mental health benefits)
• Engage stakeholders more effectively

In summary: By advancing our equity goals, our climate actions will receive support from a wider and more diverse group of stakeholders and advocates, thereby building ever-increasing support for the implementation of climate actions. In addition, advancing climate and equity synergies will maximize public investments towards the achievement of multiple policy goals.

Additional Rationale:

• Inequities can be embedded in, and perpetuated by, municipal services and programming. For example, green spaces and assets, water conservation initiatives, and waste and transportation services all face challenges related to accessibility, affordability, reliability, and equity. This affects the well-being and basic needs of individuals and families and is just one of many examples that demonstrates the disparities and barriers that exist in our community. (Saskatoon Toolkit)

• All communities need the ability to shape their own present and future. Equity is both the means to healthy communities and an end that benefits us all. (Portland Equity Plan)

• As local governments, we must ensure many different voices are heard in the planning process and that the benefits that come from the solutions are equitably distributed. We should strive to ensure our actions don't have unintended consequences that exacerbate EDI considerations. (Federation of Canadian Municipalities)

• Equity considerations emerge in two ways. First, with the need to understand the disproportionate risks of climate change for vulnerable populations (e.g., elderly, low income, homeless). For instance, mapping vulnerable neighbourhoods and groups helps better understand contextual climate risks and adaptation needs, avoiding damages and deaths in communities over time, and prioritizing equitable climate resilience measures. Second, all climate actions, both adaptation and mitigation, must be prioritized based on the equitable distribution of benefits. (Climate Action & Innovation in Canadian Municipalities)