7. Climate Justice
While climate change affects us all, communities with limited access to resources or situated in at-risk regions face its most severe impacts. Existing inequities such as those related to gender, race and wealth amplify the risk that climate change poses to people’s lives, livelihoods and opportunities to participate in the green economy. Climate change is also driving both internal and cross-border migration due to natural disasters and resource scarcity, leading to other problems such as food insecurity and conflict.
At Jacobs, we are committed to propelling a transition to net zero that is not only rapid, but just. We recognize that climate justice cannot be achieved without urgent action and collaboration among public, private and civil society organizations, partnering with affected communities to provide critical response and co-create sustainable, resilient solutions.
At Jacobs, we live inclusion. We are driving equity and equality in climate response through multiple channels – spanning our business operations and client solutions, charitable giving and volunteering, and partnerships and policy engagement.
To accelerate the transition to a net zero future that is just, we will:
- Recognize and apply scientific findings of the IPCC Working Group II on climate impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, and share new understanding with our clients.
- Apply scenario analysis to map physical and transitional risks arising from climate change, integrating principles of adaptive planning into our solutions to protect the most vulnerable in society.
- Accelerate decarbonization and adaptation plans in cities, using the UN SDGs as a lens to put the needs of people and communities first.
- Optimize our partnerships and memberships to understand and respond to the socio-economic impacts of climate change in our operating regions, including the displacement of people and communities.
Explore some of the ways in which we are delivering fair and equitable climate action
WATER FOR PEOPLE
Water For People (WFP) is a global non-profit working across Latin America, Africa and Asia to achieve lasting access to clean water and sanitation solutions. With a focus on engagement and capacity building, WFP brings together communities, local entrepreneurs and governments to build, operate and manage their own systems – ensuring they have the training and tools needed to maintain them for generations. Jacobs has donated over $4 million and provided thousands of volunteer hours to support WFP’s vision, advancing water equity and resilience among communities at high risk for climate impacts.
Since 1991, Jacobs has donated over $4million and provided thousands of volunteer hours to support WFP’s vision, advancing water equity and resilience among communities at high risk for climate impacts.
Photo courtesy of Water For People
BRIDGES TO PROSPERITY
Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) collaborates with local partners, communities, governments and businesses to install footbridges in isolated rural communities around the globe. Locations are determined based on comprehensive needs and impact assessments, which include vulnerability of the community to climate impacts. Constructed with locally sourced materials, the bridges are durable to withstand extreme weather events. Providing year-round access to healthcare, education and economic opportunity, the bridges connect communities to key resources, enabling improved health outcomes, career advancement and increased participation of women in the workforce.
Jacobs’ employees have participated in B2P builds since 2014, and we are proud to support a team of employee volunteers for the B2P Rwanda Bridge Build in 2022.
STREETLIGHT ACQUISITION
Transportation policy and planning have significant impacts on both climate and society – with decisions impacting the lives and livelihoods of under-resourced communities. StreetLight is a pioneer of mobility analytics that uses data and machine learning to solve complex transportation problems. Among its suite of solutions, StreetLight provides objective metrics to measure, evaluate and support equitable transportation, engaging with government and academic institutions. Transportation is one of the biggest sources of global greenhouse gases and Jacobs’ acquisition of StreetLight signals our leadership in data solutions that support a just and equitable transition to a decarbonized future.
Read about some of the ways StreetLight is supporting clients.
“Climate change is happening now and to all of us. No country or community is immune… And, as is always the case, the poor and vulnerable are the first to suffer and the worst hit.”
António Guterres UN Secretary-General