Six steps to integrate climate mitigation with adaptation for social justice

Climate change impacts are accelerating and there is an urgent need to address this global issue. Tackling climate change in an effective and socially just manner needs to involve mitigation strategies that address the underlying causes of climate change, but also adaptation strategies that help us prepare for current and future impacts. Historically, mitigation and adaptation strategies have been treated separately, but there is now growing awareness of important synergies between them. We highlight these synergies across six key areas where humans need to make transformative changes in order to reduce the impacts of climate change, including energy, pollutants, nature, food, population and the economy. In doing so, we show the enormous potential for civil society, government, world leaders and the private sector to take advantage of the fact that mitigation strategies can also provide adaptation opportunities to lessen humanity’s suffering as we navigate the uncertainties of the climate crisis.