Environmental Justice as a Tool for Dealing with Climate Change Impacts on Food Security in Brazil in the Context of WEF Nexus

Water, energy and food are essential resources for human security. Therefore, synergies among these resources are essential to promote food security. Food security refers to the state of everyone, everywhere, having access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food at all times, which relies on the stability of food prices, international markets, food policies and the climate. The effects of climate change in Brazil threaten food security in the country, particularly due to the excessive reliance on rainfed agriculture and subsistence farming, which requires sustainable adaptation policies to manage this scenario. From the social sciences’ debates on sustainable policy-making, the concept of Environmental Justice refers to marginalized groups that are more exposed to harmful environmental impacts and do not benefit equally from positive environmental regulations and policies, consequently being placed in a scenario of greater food insecurity. In this regard, this study promotes a review of the literature to investigate the relations and possibilities of considering environmental justice concepts in food security decision-making in Brazil. Including the most vulnerable people in the decision-making process is a crucial tool to promote an effective approach for sustainable development, reducing the unintended effects of climate change on water, energy and food resources, essential for everyone’s wellbeing.