Small-scale producers contribute the least to climate change, but are the most at risk of welfare losses due to increasing global temperatures and extreme weather events. They are not only highly dependent on sectors directly exposed to climate, such as agriculture, fishing and tourism; they are also key actors for preserving natural resources. Despite its proven effectiveness in protecting and promoting livelihoods, coverage of social protection remains low: in 2020, 53.1% of the global population was not covered by any social protection programme. Sustainable food-systems and strong social protection systems will play an increasing and central role in achieving a climate resilient development. Social protection strengthens both absorptive and adaptive capacities of households: on the one hand, it acts as a pathway to protecting individuals from vulnerabilities throughout the life-cycle; on the other, it contributes to more sustainable agriculture and natural resource management practices, critically contributing to adaptation to climate change. Expanding social protection coverage in rural areas will be critical to address the socio, economic and environment challenges of the changing climate.

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