Why Gender Matters in Climate Change Policy
Gender and climate change are deeply connected. Women and men experience climate impacts differently due to social roles, economic status, and access to resources. Women, especially in vulnerable communities, often face higher risks from climate disasters and have less access to decision-making, finance, and technology. Yet, women bring unique knowledge and leadership to climate solutions, from managing natural resources to driving community resilience. Effective, just climate action must recognize and address these gender differences to ensure no one is left behind.
COP23: A Turning Point for Gender Equality
The 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23) in 2017 was a landmark for gender and climate change. For the first time, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted a comprehensive Gender Action Plan (GAP). This plan aimed to ensure women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in climate policy and action, and to mainstream gender perspectives across all climate activities.
Key Priority Areas of the Gender Action Plan
The GAP set out five main areas to advance gender equality in climate action:
- Capacity-building, knowledge sharing, and communication: Empowering women and men through workshops, training, and information exchange.
- Gender balance and women’s leadership: Promoting equal representation of women in national delegations and climate negotiations, including grassroots and indigenous women.
- Gender-responsive implementation: Integrating gender considerations into climate policies, finance, and programs.
- Monitoring and reporting: Tracking progress and ensuring accountability for gender-related commitments.
- Coherence: Aligning gender efforts across all areas of the UNFCCC and related climate initiatives.
As COP23 President and Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama stated, “This recognizes the role of women in climate action.” The plan was widely welcomed as a roadmap to embed gender equality in global climate efforts.
Key Milestones Since COP23
Enhanced Lima Work Programme and Five-Year Gender Action Plan
Building on COP23, COP25 in 2019 adopted an enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and a new five-year Gender Action Plan. This strengthened the commitment to gender equality, focusing on:
- Scaling up gender-just climate solutions
- Increasing support for women’s leadership in climate policy
- Improving the monitoring and reporting of gender-responsive actions
Governments unanimously agreed to lead or support activities that promote gender equality within the UNFCCC process and beyond.
Women’s Leadership in Climate Policy
Since COP23, women’s leadership in climate policy has gained visibility. International panels, such as the “Doha Climate Talk: Women’s Leadership in Climate Change,” have highlighted how diverse perspectives and community-centered approaches from women leaders drive innovative climate solutions. Women have played key roles in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and grassroots advocacy, both globally and in the Pacific.
Progress in Gender-Responsive Climate Action
The UNFCCC and partners have supported workshops, mentorships, and initiatives to build women’s capacity and representation. There has been increased integration of gender in climate finance and adaptation programs, and more women are participating in climate negotiations than ever before.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite progress, significant challenges remain:
- Underrepresentation: Women are still underrepresented in climate negotiations and leadership positions.
- Barriers to participation: Gender stereotypes, limited access to education and finance, and lack of institutional support hinder women’s influence.
- Policy gaps: Many climate policies and projects are not fully gender-responsive, missing opportunities to leverage women’s knowledge and leadership.
- Implementation and accountability: While frameworks exist, turning commitments into action and tracking real progress is still a work in progress.
As noted in a recent white paper on women in climate leadership, “Gender equality and climate resilience are deeply interconnected-women’s empowerment enhances sustainability efforts, and inclusive climate governance ensures long-term social and environmental benefits.”
Why Advancing Gender Equality Is Essential for Climate Action
Advancing gender equality is not just a matter of justice-it’s essential for effective climate action. Women’s participation leads to more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient solutions. When women are empowered, communities are better able to adapt, innovate, and thrive in the face of climate challenges.
Next steps should include:
- Expanding educational, financial, and leadership opportunities for women in climate action
- Ensuring gender balance in climate negotiations and decision-making
- Making climate finance and policies more gender-responsive
- Strengthening monitoring and accountability for gender commitments
As Bridget Burns of the Women’s Environment and Development Organisation (WEDO) put it, “We simply cannot solve this great challenge without equitable rights and access to natural resource management, financing and decision-making.”
Conclusion
The journey since COP23 shows real progress in integrating gender into climate policy, but the work is far from done. Continued commitment, resources, and accountability are needed to ensure that gender equality remains at the heart of global climate action-and that everyone, everywhere, benefits from a safer, more just, and sustainable future.