Mitigating Climate Change Risk with Mairi Dupar

Climate change caused by burning fossil fuels and converting carbon-rich lands such as forests, grasslands and peatland to other uses, is now causing losses and damages the world over and tackling the root causes  is more critical than ever. Communities in the Global South, which historically are responsible for a tiny share of global emissions, are especially vulnerable. Within societies, people living in poverty, working in jobs that are highly exposed to climate hazards, and lacking political voice, such as women, are particularly at risk, but should also be at the forefront of shaping climate resilience solutions. Mairi Dupar shares her insights with us…

Climate Risk Management Specialist is a very impressive title! For those of us not in the field, can you break down what this entails? What are your aims and what does it involve on a day-to-day basis?

Although the risks of climate change to people and environments are many and serious, the risks can be reduced. That's what climate risk management is all about.

To give just a few examples: cities can take steps to limit construction in areas that are becoming more flood- or erosion-prone. Farmers can diversify into crops and livestock that are more resilient to floods, droughts and heatwaves; buyers and traders can adopt more climate-resilient means of storage and transport. Communities can replant bare hillsides and coastlines or protect existing forests and mangroves, because healthy ecosystems can contribute natural defences to storms and heavy rainfall.

I'm especially involved in partnerships with groups on the frontlines of climate change. I spend about half my time working with the Climate and Development Knowledge Network to document communities' experiences living with climate change  and innovating ways to reduce climate risk. The rest of my time, I am a technical advisor to the Alliance of Small Island States in the UN climate change talks, undertaking research for them that supports their deep, sustained fight for climate justice and cultural and territorial survival.

How did you get into the field? Can you walk us through your career path?

I was an adventurous teen and took a leap of faith to teach English at Hasanuddin University in Sulawesi, Indonesia at the age of 18, before I went to university myself. At that time, I only knew Sulawesi from the encyclopaedia in my school library, but taking that leap was one of the best decisions I ever made. My students opened my eyes to diverse social and ecological aspects of development through our conversations and field trips together! 

The experience was a springboard into my international relations degree, and a subsequent fellowship: the Echoing Green Foundation supported me to create a media and outreach programme for the international feminist foundation The Global Fund for Women. I obtained my Masters degrees in international development and journalism (with a focus on environmental protection). Everything I have done since has reflected my transdisciplinary approach and love of international collaborations. 

I first got pulled into climate action when I was at RSPB/Birdlife in the early 2000s and involved in the nationwide campaign for climate change laws (ultimately successful).

How did you get involved in GLOW?

Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) issued a call for organisations to run the Knowledge Hub of the Gender Equality in a Low Carbon World (GLOW) programme. My colleagues in SouthSouthNorth, ODI and I applied, and were thrilled to be selected.

Being the technical lead for policy engagement in GLOW was a dream job for me. It combines climate change policy and action and women's empowerment in one integrated vision! What is more, the job involves partners from 12 action research projects in 17 countries - almost all of which focus on action in climate smart agriculture, forestry and value chains. These subjects are especially close to my heart.

GLOW supports research on promising women-led solutions for green economies and climate action in the Global South. Could you give a couple of examples of what these projects involve?

In Bolivia, one project led by INESAD is piloting ways for Indigenous women quinoa farmers to adopt climate-smart practices and stabilise their incomes in the face of climate challenges. The project involves estimating the carbon and water footprints of quinoa farming in several locations in the high Andes. The communities and researchers are introducing water and energy saving measures, to enhance the sustainability of farming practices and reduce farmers’ vulnerability to climate shocks.   

On the other side of the world, a project led by Forest Action Nepal has empowered women with the skills to launch their own businesses – processing and marketing sustainably-harvested forest products. No fewer than 18 women-led enterprises have been supported to launch and expand their businesses! To quote my colleague Kanchan Lama, the Study Lead, the project has also highlighted and begun to bridge the gaps between Nepal’s women-friendly laws, and the real-life discrimination that is still rife in local governance and resource management.  

And why the focus on women-led projects in particular?

Internationally, women are vastly underrepresented in public policy-making and collective decision-making – just 22% of men’s participation, according to the World Economic Forum. The gap also applies to decision-making roles in climate-resilient and low-carbon policies and programmes. By focusing on women’s empowerment in GLOW’s action research projects, we are trying to level the field a bit.

Beyond that, the GLOW projects intend to demonstrate the positive ripple effects for women, for families, and for communities when they are empowered in climate action. In this sense, they are lighthouse projects that aim to illuminate, inspire and empower others far beyond their immediate project participants.

I think a lot of people feel that Governments either make big promises at public events such as COP and then fail to deliver, or else they refuse to commit to targets in the first place. What do you think can be done on a global scale in terms of holding Governments accountable?

In democracies, we have the power to make climate action an electoral issue and then remind our elected politicians consistently to stick to their commitments. We can have ongoing engagements with them, whether it’s through petitions, advocacy letters and meetings, or peaceful protests. And don’t forget the importance of modelling sustainable actions however we can and highlighting the learnings to politicians as proof of what can be done!

In the UK, we had an election this month for our parliament. The candidates’ leaflets I received from three major parties stressed the importance of climate action and environmental protection. I take heart from this change – 20 years ago, I bemoaned the fact that climate change and biodiversity loss did not appear in the top five or ten issues of concern to voters here. Now, all that has changed. Sadly, it’s an indicator of our planetary crises; but also a sign of the much-needed shifts in political debates.

Environmental champions are also taking the brave step of putting themselves forward for election so that they can have broader legislative influence – not just in the UK but worldwide. My friend Lourivania Soares Santos tells an inspiring story of Neusa Cadore, a leader who rose to prominence as a champion for rural communities and the women of Pintadas, Brazil in Stories of Resilience 2023.

Are there any countries that you think are setting a positive example in tackling climate change?

A tiny country but one that punches very far above its weight in terms of its visionary climate leadership is the Marshall Islands. The government of the Marshall Islands is a leading light for integrating a gender equality and human rights approach with its ambitions for deep and sustained climate action. We discuss this in our GLOW policy brief and you can read the Marshall Islands’ climate plan here. Other countries have much to learn from their approach.

Of course, like other small island developing states and least developed countries, the Marshall Islands struggles to mobilise sufficient finance to achieve all its ambitions. There is a profound need for climate finance from richer to poorer countries to become more accessible, agile and accountable to recipients.

Do you feel positive about the future? 

I think we can all be hopeful. The important thing is to be engaged in public conversations about our environmental impacts and the many ways we can all restore and protect the environment. As I said before: sometimes we need to mobilise as citizens to make the change we want to see and then urge politicians to follow suit. It’s not ‘us’ and ‘them’, our expectations and behaviours are continually shaping each other.

If there was one thing that you could implement immediately to tackle climate change, whether on a personal, local, national or international scale, what would it be?

There is no magic bullet. There are lots of people working on solutions and it takes all of them. There are so many great ideas out there. Let me give you an example of why a single bold action isn’t enough: many economists say ‘setting a universal, high carbon price’ (costing the true effect of pollution on people and planet) is the most important thing to do. It would help, for sure. But that measure alone would not succeed, because governments and businesses must actively support workers in high-carbon sectors to transition to green jobs. Consumers who can’t currently afford low-carbon products and services need help to access them – whether it’s through subsidies or other means. Sufficient climate action will always call for many, intersecting measures.

Who inspires you?

It’s really hard to choose a single person or organisation. At the moment, I am really excited that the Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, and her city team, including my inspiring colleague Eric Hubbard, are on the shortlist for an Earthshot Prize for #Freetown the Treetown. It’s an incredible vision and hands-on programme to green the city and create sustainable incomes for local people.