Advancing Epistemic Justice with Local Knowledge: A Process Indicator for EU Climate Adaptation Policymaking

Policy Highlights To achieve the recommendation stated in the title, we propose the following: • EU climate adaptation policies need to further integrate local knowledge to advance epistemic justice and ensure their success. A process indicator is proposed to advance epistemic justice along three main dimensions, namely distributive, participatory, and recognitional epistemic justice. The indicator serves to assess and evaluate critical ex-ante (problem framing) and ex-post (appraisal of the policy’s initial design) aspects of epistemic justice in policymaking. The implementation of the indicator will enhance political accountability, fill existing gaps in scientific knowledge at smaller spatial scales, and foster trust among stakeholders. The inclusion of multiple types of knowledges and disciplines in policymaking leads to more effective and just climate policies.