The territorial dimension of the climate crisis, public emergencies and environmental protection

This publication, prepared by Public Services International (PSI) as part of the LRG Next2021 series, examines the territorial dimension of the climate crisis, public emergencies and environmental protection, and the central role of local and regional governments (LRGs) and their workforce in climate mitigation, adaptation, disaster risk reduction and environmental protection. It highlights how cities contribute to climate change while also being among the most severely affected by its consequences, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, storms, sea level rise, displacement and environmental degradation.   

The brief finds that frontline workers in local public services are essential to implementing climate and disaster-related policies and responding to emergencies. Through examples from the Caribbean, Mozambique, the Philippines, Miami and Athens, it shows how climate impacts place growing pressure on public emergency services, waste management, migration services and other local public services. The publication concludes that complex interlinkage between the climate crisis, disasters, displacement and their impact on urban centres and local communities points to the fact that more LRG workers than ever are going o be needed, better equipped, adequately trained, with labour and OSH rights and in decent working conditions.