Climate beyond Classism

Aims of the tool

Raise awareness about classism within climate movements and educational spaces
- Strengthen connections between climate justice and social justice struggles
- Support more inclusive, accessible and anti-classist organising practices
- Empower youth workers, educators and activists to address class and inequality in their work
- Provide participatory methods for workshops and trainings on climate and classism

Description of the tool

“Climate Beyond Classism” is an international toolkit developed by Bildung für utopischen Wandel (BuWa) and partners from across Europe within an Erasmus+ project. The toolkit explores the connections between climate justice, class inequality and discrimination based on social class. It combines theoretical reflections with practical non-formal education methods for workshops, seminars and activist spaces.

The publication addresses how climate movements often reproduce class barriers through academic language, expectations around time and resources, or a focus on individual “green” consumption. It also highlights how working-class and economically marginalized people are disproportionately affected by environmental destruction and climate policies.

The toolkit includes:
- background texts on classism and climate justice
- an anti-classist checklist for groups and organisations
- participatory workshop methods such as Silent Discussion, Quote Guessing, Power Flower reflection and World Café
- reflection exercises on privilege, discrimination and inclusion
- examples and questions for building more class-inclusive climate movements

Learning outcomes include:

- understanding the relationship between climate crisis, capitalism and class inequality
- recognizing classist structures within movements and organisations
- reflecting on personal privilege and social positioning
- learning participatory and inclusive facilitation methods
- developing strategies for solidarity between climate and social justice movement