Methodologies to support decision-making in the design of public policies focused on climate justice

• Grant number: 25/15375-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Sylmara Lopes Francelino Gonçalves Dias
• Grantee: Carolina Cristina Fernandes
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/10280-2 - Co-planning for climate justice in São Vicente: a decision-making toolkit based on territory with, community and scientific evidences, AP.PP

Abstract

The objective is to adapt multi-criteria analyses, develop synthetic indicators, and propose a vulnerability analysis methodology for the context of climate justice. The PD should develop participatory research with the local population of the municipality of São Vicente; develop a model for socio-climatic vulnerability analysis; and develop models for incorporating vulnerability analysis into urban climate risk analyses. It should also adapt multi-criteria analysis methods to select climate adaptation and resilience measures and develop a system of climate justice indicators adapted for citizen collection. The work to be developed will contribute to achieving the objectives of the larger project, entitled 'CoopClima,' and will be essential in the scientific dissemination of the results. The objectives of the PD are linked to the tools described in Steps 3, 6, and 8 of the CoopClima proposal. Specifically, it will work on the adaptation of multi-criteria analyses, the development of synthetic indicators, and vulnerability analysis for the context of climate justice; and will be responsible, in collaboration with other teams, for achieving the following objectives: Develop a model for socio-climatic vulnerability analysis. Different sets of indicators should be applied to various types of natural hazards (e.g., floods, landslides, droughts, etc.) in situations where social vulnerability to these hazards is considered to be different in specific cases. However, the same sets of indicators can be applied to geographical units, regardless of their size, by aggregating the values of the social vulnerability indicators. Ultimately, the study should produce a map classifying geographical units according to their level of social vulnerability. Develop the methodology for incorporating the results of socio-climatic vulnerability analysis into urban climate risk assessments. Establish: a mathematical model (transformation, normalisation, weighting and aggregation) for cross-referencing, in GIS, between the 'sensitivity index' and 'adaptation capacity index' layers; and a mathematical model (transformation, normalisation, weighting and aggregation) for cross-referencing, in GIS, between the 'climate exposure' and 'socio-climatic vulnerability index' layers. Adapt multi-criteria analysis methods for selecting climate adaptation and resilience measures. Perform the following activities: Determine the set of alternatives; Develop a family of criteria that incorporates climate justice objectives; Develop descriptors for each criterion; Adapt the Simos chart methodology to incorporate multiple stakeholders in the development of weights for each criterion; Conduct workshops to generate weights; Conduct workshops to evaluate each alternative against each criterion; Tabulate, construct the relationships of overcoming and rank the alternatives (adaptation and resilience measures). Develop a system of climate justice indicators adapted for citizen collection. Following activities: Review the literature to find climate justice indicators; conduct workshops to develop new indicators with the local population; Conduct workshops to evaluate all indicators against the criteria of relevance to the objectives defined in Step 4; Define the criteria and weights (adapt the Simos letter methodology to incorporate multistakeholder) for indicator selection; Conduct workshops to evaluate each indicator against each selection criterion; Apply multi-criteria analysis to define the final list of indicators. (AU)