What is Climate Equity?
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What is Climate Equity?
What is Climate Equity?
Equity means that our policymaking, service delivery, and distribution of resources account for the different histories, challenges, and needs of the people we serve. A climate equity framework prioritizes resources and support to the communities burdened the most by climate change, those that contribute the least to climate change, and those who are most socially vulnerable to it. The City of San Antonio is committed to empowering these communities to overcome obstacles and achieve their own goals and ambitions. Furthermore, uplifting values of climate equity ensures that these communities play a central role in the just transformation of the systems that have established, and continue to perpetuate, the unequal burden of climate impacts.
There are direct connections between where our most marginalized community members live, the location of green spaces, and the urban heat island effect. These maps are used to prioritize action in areas where frontline communities are experiencing the worst effects of climate change.
The City of San Antonio Office of Equity collects and reports data to illuminate current racial disparities such as in education, housing, and health. The data is shared with City leadership and the greater public to strengthen the case for racial equity. Check out the 2019 Racial Equity Indicator Report.
The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) helps identify communities that are most likely to need support before, during, and after a hazardous event or natural disaster, such as people who live in poverty, are chronically ill, disabled, over 65, or under 5 years old.