How Universal Social Protection Powers a Just Transition for Climate Resilience

As climate impacts deepen, the ILO's latest report emphasizes the urgent need for universal social protection systems to bolster resilience and foster a fair, inclusive transition. The report highlights the importance of addressing social protection gaps—especially in low-income countries most affected by climate risks—advocating for policies that enable economic security, job adaptation, and health coverage to support vulnerable communities and strengthen climate action.

In a world increasingly defined by climate change and its stark impacts, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has spotlighted universal social protection as a critical component for both climate resilience and social justice. According to the "World Social Protection Report 2024–26," social protection isn’t merely about providing safety nets but enabling societies, especially the most vulnerable, to adapt to life-cycle challenges and climate risks with security and dignity.

Today, a staggering 3.8 billion people—half the global population—still live without any form of social protection. This widespread gap makes individuals and entire communities particularly susceptible to climate shocks and economic instability, according to the ILO. As climate impacts accelerate, the report underscores the need for a comprehensive, rights-based approach to social protection, one that not only addresses poverty but also creates a resilient foundation for everyone facing the realities of climate change.

The Role of Social Protection in Climate Action

The report highlights the role of universal social protection systems in climate adaptation and mitigation. Social protection can cushion vulnerable populations from economic shocks, allowing people to navigate job transitions as the world moves toward greener economies. Moreover, targeted support programs like income security and healthcare access empower individuals to adapt to emerging climate impacts. By embedding social protection within climate policies, nations can buffer citizens from the more disruptive impacts of climate adaptation, such as shifts in job sectors and rising living costs due to green policies.

The findings also make a case for social protection as a tool to promote environmental sustainability. Examples include pension funds divesting from fossil fuels and reallocating resources to green initiatives, creating positive ripple effects for both people and the planet.

An Urgent Call for Inclusive Climate Adaptation

Countries most vulnerable to climate change tend to be those with the least social protection coverage, making them disproportionately susceptible to climate-related poverty and social exclusion. The ILO report emphasizes that without adequate systems in place, vulnerable groups—children, the elderly, and the working poor—face escalating hardships from rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. For instance, only 23.9% of the world’s children benefit from family support programs, leaving over 1.8 billion children exposed to the compounded impacts of poverty and climate risks.

Gender disparities also persist: women globally have significantly less access to social protection benefits, particularly in low-income regions where climate shocks are most severe. With policies designed to bridge these gaps, social protection could be a powerful equalizer, enabling inclusive adaptation that prioritizes the needs of women, youth, and marginalized communities.

Health, Wealth, and Social Security: Critical to Climate Resilience

Despite a growing legal framework, effective health protection remains inaccessible for 40% of the world’s population. The ILO highlights the pressing need for expanded health coverage to alleviate financial hardship due to medical costs, which already push millions into poverty annually. As climate change exacerbates health vulnerabilities, from heat stress to the spread of infectious diseases, robust health protection systems are essential for resilience, especially in underserved regions.

Policy Recommendations and Global Collaboration

The report concludes with a strong appeal for policy action, recommending that social protection frameworks be integrated into climate and sustainable development agendas. It calls on governments to adopt policies that both mitigate climate risks and provide economic security to vulnerable populations. With a clear call for international financial support, particularly for low- and middle-income countries, the ILO emphasizes the role of global solidarity in funding social protection systems to close critical coverage gaps.

The ILO’s findings are more than a call to action—they’re a blueprint for a socially just response to one of the greatest challenges of our time. As the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline approaches, the report underscores that universal social protection must be at the heart of climate strategies to achieve a fairer, more resilient world.