Gender and Climate Change Module

Opening
Lima, the capital of Peru, is greatly affected by climate change. The hillside district of El
Agustino faces frequent droughts but also heavy rainfall leading to landslides and
periodic flooding along the Rímac River. The volatile weather puts local communities –
most of whom are natural resource dependent – at risk. To improve the resilience of the
El Agustino zone, 100 women decided to replant 18,000 square metres of land with Tara
trees. These small, leguminous plants have been known for their benefits by Peruvian
women for generations; the tree is used to treat fever, wounds and stomach problems,
while its intense rooting system helps to secure soil and prevent landslides.

Traditional knowledge combined with the protection of indigenous species can make a
big difference to climate change vulnerable communities. As the example shows,
women are very often the custodians of this knowledge which, when truly valued, can
make all the difference. At the same time, the role of women, as agents of change in the
community, becomes clearly recognised.

We are all at risk from climate change - no one is immune. Yet, women, children and the
elderly face specific risks and greater burdens, particularly when they are already living
in poverty. The good news is that there are many examples where women and men are
taking action to become more resilient to these risks.

This module will show you how men and women experience the effects of climate
change differently, what the social and environmental drivers of these differential
impacts are and why it is important to link environmental sustainability with gender
equality and women’s empowerment when helping communities to address climate
change.

You will get some ideas about how you can take action.
Sources:
UNDP. 2009. GEF Small Grants Programme. PERU: Cultivating Tara to Reforest
Degraded Riverbanks and Other Areas at Risk of Landslides in El Agustino, Lima.
Available from
https://sgp.undp.org/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=486-
cultivating-tara-trees-to-prevent-landslides-in-lima&category_slug=case-
studies&Itemid=256
0. Introduction

0.1 Cover

0.2 How to Use this Module

Previous slide icon: Click to go to the previous slide

Next slide icon: Click to go to the next slide
Backward icon: Click to go back to the beginning of a section
Click icon: Click/hover over to reveal more information
Further information icon: Click for further information
Facts & Figures icon: Click to reveal additional data
Drop down text icon: Click to drop down text
Close window icon: Click to close window
Complementary reading icon: Click to access complementary reading
Legal frameworks icon: Click for reference to a legal framework
Point of reflection icon: Point of reflection
Activity icon: Activity/Exercise

0.3 Women for Results

Video: http://unfccc.int/secretariat/momentum_for_change/items/7318.php

Self-reflection: How does this relate to your work and/or personal experience?
0.4 Learning Objectives

0.5 Module Overview

1. Section 1

1.1 Gender & Climate Change

Climate change is a global phenomenon that affects natural systems and, consequently,
our well-being. In most socio-economic contexts, it impacts people differently, affecting
disproportionally marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Read on to learn why and how women’s leadership and participation is important for
climate change.
Photo Credit: Echo Grid

1.2 Exercise: A Sneak Peek into the Numbers

Answer: 1%

1.3 Exercise: A Sneak Peek into the Numbers

Answer: 75%
Further Information: More and more people are being displaced due to severe coastal
weather events, such as the erosion of shorelines, flooding, droughts and agricultural
disruption. For example, Cyclone Nargis, which struck the Irrawaddy Delta region in
Myanmar in May 2008, severely affected 2.4 million people and led to the displacement
of 800,000 people.
Migration caused by environmental changes increases the death rates among women,
especially in developing countries, due to their uncertain socio-economic status,
behavioural restrictions and lack of access to information.
Sources:
Gender in German Development. Climate Change. Available from
https://www.genderingermandevelopment.net/climate-change4.html
Reliefweb. 2016. Annual Disaster Statistical Review 2015: The Numbers and Trends.
Available from https://reliefweb.int/report/world/annual-disaster-statistical-review-2015-
numbers-and-trends
The Brookings Institution. 2013. The Year of Recurring Disasters. A Review of Natural
Disasters in 2012. Available from
https://www.brookings.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2016/06/Brookings_Review_Natural_Di
sasters_2012-2.pdf
UN WomenWatch. 2009. Women, Gender Equality and Climate Change Fact Sheet.
Available from
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/climate_change/downloads/Women_and_Clim
ate_Change_Factsheet.pdf

1.4 Point of Reflection

1.5 Gender and Climate Change

Click on Women: Women are vulnerable to climate change. They tend to rely more on
natural resources for their livelihoods. They need to secure water, food and fuel for
cooking and heating. They also struggle with unequal access to resources and decision-
making processes, limited mobility and access to information, and the threat of sexual
violence. Climate change only adds to this existing burden. Poor and marginalized
women and girls are seldom given the chance to better understand the risks that they
face and to prepare, respond and recover from environmental risks.
Testimony: “A very painful element is that we are losing our indigenous water sources.
These were once the freshwater sources of our communities and we used them for
irrigating our land. During my field visits I have seen that underground water levels have
gone down. This is due to multiple factors, such as deforestation, lack of rain and snow,
water extraction through electric pumping and lack of recharge mechanisms. Now
women in the village have to travel a long way to fetch water.”
Rehana Bibi Khilji, HOPE-Pk (Humanitarian Organization for Poverty Eradication and
Environment) - Pakistan, Quetta Valley
Click on Men: Gender equality is not a “women’s issue”. Men are also vulnerable to
climate change but often affected in different ways. For example, data from India and
Australia show higher rates of suicides among male farmers during times of drought.

Sources:

CAPRi. 2012. A Literature Review of the Gender Differentiated Impacts of Climate

Change on Women’s and Men’s Assets and Well-being in Developing Countries.
Available from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.303.5287&rep=rep1&type=pd
f
Dankelman, Irene, ed. 2010. Gender and Climate Change an Introduction. London:
Earthscan.
UNDP. 2013. Overview of Linkages between Gender and Climate Change. Available from
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/gender/Gender and Environment/PB1-
AP-Overview-Gender-and-climate-change.pdf
UN WomenWatch. 2010. Women, Gender Equality and Climate Change. Available from
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/climate_change/
Photo Credit: Rita Willaert Panama/Flickr

1.6 Gender Matters

Click on Gender Matters: Why are women and men often affected differently by climate
change? Due to existing social and cultural gender norms, roles and expectations, the
position and condition of women and men are different in each society. Climate change
impacts women and girls differently due to socio-economic class and other
intersectional demographic characteristics such as age and location. Also, women and
girls do not form a homogeneous group defined by their gender alone.
Click on Differentiated Risks: Understanding the risks and different impacts of climate
change on women and men is essential in addressing those risks and achieving
sustainable development. To do this, their different needs and interests must be
identified, and women’s as well as men’s contribution to developing solutions must be
encouraged. This inclusive approach will result in more effective and sustainable
outcomes.
Click on Critical Role: “Women are disproportionately affected by climate change
impacts such as droughts, floods and other extreme weather events. They also have a
critical role in combating climate change but need to be better represented at all levels in
the decision-making process. Empowering women will be a significant factor in meeting
the climate challenge,” - UNFCCC Former Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, 2014.
Complementary reading: For further information, access Gender and Climate Change -
Thematic Issue Briefs and Training Modules:
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-
empowerment/gender-and-climate-change.html

Sources:

Merriam Webster. 2018. Intersectionality. Available from https://www.merriam-

webster.com/words-at-play/intersectionality-meaning
UNFCCC. 2014. Gender and Climate Change. Available from
http://unfccc.int/gender_and_climate_change/items/7516.php
UN Women and the Norwegian Embassy. Master Class Training Manual. Rights Based
Approach to Gender and Climate Change: The Situation in Bangladesh. Available from
http://www2.unwomen.org/-/media/field office
eseasia/docs/publications/2015/04/master class training manual_un
women.pdf?la=en&vs=3927

1.7 Key Message

2. Section 2

2.1 Dimensions of Climate Change and the Gender Gap

Learn about how climate change affects women and men differently and explore
opportunities to bridge the gender gap.
Photo Credit: UN Photo Kibae Park

2.2 Exercise: Myth or Fact?

High fertility rates among women in the developing world are a predominant cause of
climate change. (Myth)
Fact: Although women in developing countries tend to have more babies than women in
developed countries, it is consumption driven by developed countries that has been the
primary driver of climate change to date.

2.3 Exercise: Myth or Fact?

Women are more likely to die during storms and floods because of their inability to
swim. (Myth)
Fact: Women tend to be more vulnerable than men to flooding and storms in certain
countries such as the Philippines and Bangladesh, where they are less likely to know
how to swim. However, this has not been linked to the odds of survival during major
storm events. Instead, evidence from storm and flood situations suggests women’s lack
of or inaccessibility to shelter facilities as a leading contributor to mortality. Despite
being caretakers for children and the elderly, women are less informed on storm and
flood warnings and related shelter information. In developed countries, men are more
likely to die during floods, mostly from being trapped inside vehicles.
2.4 Exercise: Myth or Fact?

Climate change related disasters are also associated with increases in gender-based
violence. (Fact)
After a natural disaster, women are more likely to become victims of domestic and
sexual violence and may avoid using shelters from fear. A study examining intimate
partner violence after Hurricane Katrina, which hit the USA in 2005, revealed that
psychological victimization of women and men increased by 35 per cent and 17 per cent
respectively six months after the cyclone, while physical victimization of women
increased by 98 per cent.
Evidence also shows a link between natural disasters and an increase in child marriages.
As families struggle in these situations, more young girls are being married at a very
young age. For instance, from 2005 to 2013, 29 per cent of girls in Bangladesh, a country
particularly affected by climate change, married before the age of 15.

Sources:
Girls not Brides. 2015. Humanitarian and Natural Disasters Linked to Increase in Child
Marriage. Available from https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/humanitarian-and-natural-
disasters-linked-to-increase-in-child-marriage-warns-girls-not-brides/
HRW. 2015. Marry Before Your House is Swept Away. Available from
https://www.hrw.org/report/2015/06/09/marry-your-house-swept-away/child-marriage-
bangladesh
WEDO. 2016. Gender and Climate Change: A Closer Look at Existing Evidence, Global
Gender and Climate Alliance. Available from http://wedo.org/wp-
content/uploads/2016/11/GGCA-RP-FINAL.pdf
Women for Climate Justice. 2017. Women for Climate Justice Contingent at the
People’s Climate March – D.C. & Sister Marches. Available from
http://womenclimatejustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/WCJ_PCMToolkit-
2017.pdf
Men, Masculinities and Climate Change: A Discussion Paper
https://promundo.org.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/04/Men-Masculinities-
Climate-Change.pdf

2.5 Different Aspects of Gender Gaps

Click on the Gender Gaps: The term gender gap refers to any disparity and inequality
between women’s and men’s condition due to their position or role in society. It
concerns inequalities in terms of their participation, their access to opportunities, rights,
power to influence and make decisions, incomes and benefits, and control and use of
resources.
Source:
GEF. 2017. GEF Policy on Gender Equality
2.6 Consequences of Disasters

Further information: Climate change has increased the frequency of disasters due to
floods and other extreme events, affecting particularly populations that are economically
and socially marginalized. Within these groups, women and children, particularly girls,
are often the most marginalized, due to socially constructed roles, lack of access to
basic knowledge, information, amenities, transportation means and rights.
Click Man icon:
Men’s livelihoods can be more visible than women’s, particularly where women engage
more in the informal sector and in lower skilled occupations, earning less than men.
After disasters, compensation schemes and support tend to focus on men’s needs. For
example, after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, assistance was available to men to
replace fishing boats. However, support to help replace women’s fish processing and
marketing tools was limited. Lack of resources slows down women’s ability to recover
from natural disasters. This also has an indirect impact on the fishermen as it can affect
their ability to sell their catch.
Click Woman icon:
Post-traumatic stress increases after natural disasters, especially when families are
displaced and have to live in temporary housing in overcrowded conditions with no privacy,
lack of future prospects, and limited livelihoods. This often leads to domestic violence, to
which women are most vulnerable.
Sources:

CAPRi. 2012. A Literature Review of the Gender Differentiated Impacts of Climate

Change on Women’s and Men’s Assets and Well-being in Developing Countries.
Available from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.303.5287&rep=rep1&type=pd
f
WHO. Gender, Climate Change and Health. Available from
http://www.who.int/globalchange/GenderClimateChangeHealthfinal.pdf
UN Photo/Logan Abassi

2.7 Migration

Further information: Climate change is increasingly causing people to migrate from their
communities to find better social and economic opportunities. Because of existing
social norms that dictate the roles and responsibilities suitable for women and men, they
tend to react to climate change pressures differently.
Click Man icon:
In many societies, men have more mobility due to social norms that deem it acceptable
for a man to migrate, and also due to material facilities such as cars, money and
personal networks. Men are more likely to migrate to areas unaffected by climate
change in search of employment, whereas women have fewer opportunities to migrate
and are more likely to stay in the affected area to care for the family and the household.
Click Woman icon:
Women are generally forced to migrate in cases where they are single mothers and sole
providers for their families. However, if their husband migrates, women’s responsibilities
in and out of the household increase since they must carry out additional activities
handled by men. This situation can result in social stigma directed towards women and
their children, who are left without a guardian and protector.
In Mexico, the impacts of climate change are an important factor in a man’s decision to
migrate, particularly for men who typically work in agriculture and own land where there
have been prolonged drought events. By contrast, women, who generally do not own
land, tend to migrate for other reasons such as economic downturns. It is estimated
that, by the year 2080, the decrease in national agricultural productivity caused by
climate change will force two per cent to 10 per cent of adult Mexicans to emigrate.
Sources:

CAPRi. 2012. A Literature Review of the Gender Differentiated Impacts of Climate

Change on Women’s and Men’s Assets and Well-being in Developing Countries.
Available from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.303.5287&rep=rep1&type=pd
f

International Organization for Migration. 2008. Migration and Climate Change. Available
from https://www.iisd.org/pdf/2008/migration_climate.pdf

PNAS. 2010. Linkages among climate change, crop yields and Mexico–US cross-border
migration. Available from http://www.pnas.org/content/107/32/14257.full.pdf

2.8 Energy

Further information: Forty per cent of the world’s population, particularly in rural
households in developing countries, depends on traditional forms of energy such as
biomass (wood, animal dung or crop waste). Additionally, nearly half of the world’s
household meals are cooked over open fires, using inefficient and polluting biomass
sources. These practices contribute to climate change due to the emission of
greenhouse gases (GHG) and accelerated deforestation.
Click Women Icon:
In many parts of the world, not only do women spend time collecting biomass fuel, they
also prepare meals using them as energy sources, causing significant indoor air
pollution. On average, women spend about 94 minutes each day cooking, whereas men
spend seven. Taking care of these basic needs has a major impact on women’s health.
Every year, household air pollution from cooking with solid fuels accounts for the
premature death of more than four million people due to related illnesses.
Facts & Figures
● The World Economic Forum estimated that less than 20 per cent of the energy
sector labour force in 2015 was comprised of women.
● According to IUCN EGI, just 16 per cent of board positions were occupied by
women in 200 top utility companies, and only 10 per cent of women hold lead
energy ministry positions.

Click Men Icon:

Men are also involved in the collection of fuelwood and the preparation of meals.
Typically, they do not spend the same amount of time involved in these tasks compared
to women, which minimizes their exposure to toxic fumes and soot. However, there are
some countries, such as Madagascar, where these roles may be reversed.
Sources:
Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. 2015. Study Shows Women Cookstove Sellers
Outsell Men 3 to 1. Available from http://cleancookstoves.org/about/news/05-04-2015-
study-shows-women-cookstove-sellers-outsell-men-3-to-1.html
IUCN Global Gender Office. Making the Case for Women in the Energy Sector. Available
from http://genderandenvironment.org/resource/making-the-case-for-women-in-the-
energy-sector/
WHO. 2016. Household Air Pollution and Health. Available from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs292/en/
World Bank. 2004. Gender and Energy for Sustainable Development: A Toolkit and
Resource Guide. Available from
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTSOCIALDEVELOPMENT/Resources/244362-
1164107274725/3182370-1164201144397/3187094-1173195121091/Energy-Gender-
Development-SD125.pdf
2.9 Food Security, Nutrition & Water Resources

Climate change is expected to cause more frequent and severe food shortages. This can
lead to reduced household income, increased household burden for women and
compromised nutritional balance. Also, rising food prices often affect the poorest
community members, who are usually women.
Further information:
In most developing countries, women and girls are generally responsible for water
collection for domestic use. As climate change can impact the availability and quality of
water supplies, women and girls must find alternative water sources that are often
farther away or of poorer quality.
Example: Due to poor hunting conditions in Inuit communities, married men are
becoming increasingly dependent on their wives to support the family. However, Inuit
women are more vulnerable to food shortages than men, as they will skip meals for the
benefit of other family members. Also, they rely on food sharing networks that depend
on steady supplies of traditional food.

Sources:
Fergurson, H. 2011. Inuit Food (In)Security in Canada: Assessing the Implications and
Effectiveness of Policy.
http://www.queensu.ca/sps/qpr/sites/webpublish.queensu.ca.qprwww/files/files/16%2
0Inuit%20food%20insecurity.pdf
WB, FAO, IFAD. 2015. Gender in Climate Smart Agriculture.
Photo credit: UN Photo/Martine Perret
2.10 Health

Further information: Climate change impacts human health in various ways, and can
affect men and women differently, depending on the context. Health includes a range of
conditions such as physical ailments, diseases, and mental and maternal health.
Click Woman icon:
The increase in disease rates of HIV/AIDS, hantavirus, hepatitis C, SARS, etc. due to
climate change contributes to the domestic burden of women, who are often the primary
caregivers for sick family. Women are also vulnerable to maternal/infant health issues
that are exacerbated by climate change impacts.
Click Man icon:
Men can also experience health vulnerabilities. After Hurricane Katrina, the proportion of
predominantly male firefighters, first responders and construction workers with skin
rashes was very high due to exposure to dirty floodwaters.
Sources:

CAPRi. 2012. A Literature Review of the Gender Differentiated Impacts of Climate

Change on Women’s and Men’s Assets and Well-being in Developing Countries.
Available from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.303.5287&rep=rep1&type=pd
f
NCBI. 2007. Skin Disorders among Construction Workers following Hurricane Katrina
and Hurricane Rita: An Outbreak Investigation in New Orleans, Louisiana. Available from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18025363
Photo credit: UN Photo/Martine Perret
2.11 Political Representation

Further information: At the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris in 2015, an
important agreement was reached on the long-term global response to climate change,
known as the Paris Agreement.
Just 32 per cent of delegates and only 20 per cent of heads of delegation who
participated in this negotiation were women, demonstrating the degree of
underrepresentation in leadership positions. Such an agreement is not easy to retrofit if
the negotiations have not accounted for needs and perspectives of women from
different backgrounds.
At a local level, women’s participation and leadership is also very important since it is
precisely at this level that many of the impacts of climate change are being seen.

Key Facts:
Sources:
IUCN Global Gender Office. 2015. Gender and Climate Finance: New Data on Women in
Decision-Making Positions. Available from
http://www.wocan.org/sites/default/files/EGI_finance_indicators_fact_sheet_0.pdf

IUCN Global Gender Office. 2018. EGI: Women’s Participation in Global Environmental
Decision-Making Fact Sheet. Available from
http://genderandenvironment.org/resource/egi-womens-participation-in-global-
environmental-decision-making-factsheet/

IUCN Global Gender Office. 2018. Environment and Gender Information Platform.
Available from http://genderandenvironment.org/egi/
IUCN Global Gender Office. 2018. Mission and History. Available from
http://genderandenvironment.org/about/mission/
Photo credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elias
2.12 What are the opportunities to bridge the gap between gender and climate
change?

Case Study: Nigerian Women Take Action

2.13 Examples of Opportunities to Bridge the Gap

Click for Example of Opportunities

Yapuchiris Communities, Bolivia: Among Yapuchiris communities in the Bolivian
plateau, women play a key role in preserving crop diversity, which can be threatened by
climate change. Their work focuses on improving productive farming, which includes
different potato varieties, grain seeds and medicinal plants. These female farmers also
support each other in developing risk management skills and strategies. By ensuring
stable potato yields, they guarantee market access for agricultural products that is long-
term and beneficial for the entire community.
Tamil Nadu, India: Traditional agricultural practices that women developed and refined
over generations contribute to climate change adaptation. For example, women farmers
in Tamil Nadu, India, have improved traditional post-harvest systems to make food last
longer. These practices vary, but commonly include threshing, winnowing, cleaning and
drying.
Sources:

IUCN, UNDP, GGCA. 2009. Training Manual on Gender and Climate Change. Available
from
http://www.wfo-oma.org/climate-change/articles/women-adapt-to-climate-change.html
World Farmers Organization. 2013. Women Adapt to Climate Change. Available from
http://www.wfo-oma.org/climate-change/articles/women-adapt-to-climate-change.html
Photo credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elias
2.14 Key Message

3. Section 3

3.1 Gender and Climate Change: A Framework for Action

Learn more about how gender considerations have been integrated into international
commitments, national policies, projects and local initiatives to address climate change
more effectively.
3.2 Gender Mainstreaming - International, International to National, Local

Click on the triangles to explore the different levels.

3.3 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Further information: The UNFCCC is an international climate change treaty adopted in

1992 that is endorsed by 197 parties. UNFCCC’s ultimate objective is to stabilize
greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic
(human-induced) interference with the climate system. The Paris Agreement furthers the
Convention’s objective by strengthening the global response to the threat of climate
change. This is achieved by keeping this century’s global temperature well below 2°C
above pre-industrial levels while pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase even
further to 1.5°C. Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to
deal with the impacts of climate change.

Sources:
IUCN & Gender and Global Gender and Climate Alliance. 2015. Roots for the Future - The
Landscape and Way Forward on Gender and Climate Change. Available from
http://genderandenvironment.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/RFTF-CH-7.pdf, 2015
UNFCCC. 2014. First Steps to a Safer Future: Introducing the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change. Available from
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/convention/items/6036.php

3.4 Timeline – How Has Gender Been Integrated as Part of the UNFCCC
Framework?

Click timeline:
2001: The first mention of gender was at the COP7 in a decision that called for
increasing participation of women in the representation of parties in bodies established
under UNFCCC or the Kyoto Protocol. (Decision 36/CP.7).
2010: The Cancun Agreements highlight the importance of gender considerations in
adaptation, technology, capacity-building and REDD+. (Decision 1/CP.16).
2012: COP18 was a landmark negotiation that resulted in a significant step towards the
goal of gender balance via the representation of women in party delegations and
decision-making bodies under the Convention and Kyoto Protocol, the creation of a
standing agenda item on gender and climate change under the COP, and the
establishment of an annual reporting mechanism on progress towards the goal of
gender balance via an annual report on gender composition. (Decision 23/CP.18).
2014: A two-year plan of work was established, known as the Lima work programme on
gender (LWPG). (Decision 18/CP.20).
2015: The Paris Agreement took action to address climate change and to respect,
promote and consider gender equality, the empowerment of women and
intergenerational equity – human rights language in preamble, specific references in
adaptation and capacity building, extension of the LWPG and the development of a
gender action plan. (Decision 21/CP.22).
2016: Of 160 submitted Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), 38 per
cent of these national climate plans explicitly mention women or gender. The Lima work
programme on gender is extended and enhanced to 2019, including an invitation to
countries to nominate a National Gender and Climate Change Focal Point, and a
mandate to develop a gender action plan. (Decision 21/CP.22).
2017: The Gender Action Plan under the UNFCCC was adopted at COP23. Its objective is
to support the implementation of gender-related decisions and mandates in the UNFCCC
process, with activities identified for the next two years grouped under five priority areas.
Sources:

IUCN. 2016. Gender in Mitigation Actions: EGI brief. Available from

http://genderandenvironment.org/resource/gender-in-mitigation-actions-egi-brief/

UNEP. 2017. Gender and Climate Change. Available from

http://unfccc.int/gender_and_climate_change/items/9396.php

Further Information: COP23

Sources:
UNFCCC.2017. Pocket Guide to Gender Equality. Available from
http://www.eurocapacity.org/downloads/Final-Gender.pdf
UNFCCC. Establishment of a Gender Action Plan. Available from
http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/bonn_nov_2017/application/pdf/cp23_auv_gender.pdf
Photo Credit: UNDP

3.5 Priority Areas

Click on each area for more information.

Source:
UNFCCC. 2014. Introduction: Overview of Institutions Mechanisms and Arrangements
under the Convention. Available from http://unfccc.int/focus/overview/items/7756.php
3.6 Adaptation

Source:
GEF. Review of good practices and lessons learned: Climate change, gender and social
inclusion.

UNDP. 2010. Gender, Climate Change and Community-Based Adaptation: A Guidebook

for Designing and Implementing Gender-sensitive Community-based Adaptation
Programmes and Projects. Available from
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environment-
energy/www-ee-library/climate-change/gender-climate-change-and-community-based-
adaptation-guidebook-/Gender Climate Change and Community Based Adaptation
(2).pdf
UNFCCC. 2017. Pocket Guide to Gender Equality. Available from
http://www.eurocapacity.org/downloads/Final-Gender.pdf
Photo Credit: Flickr Falco Ermert Panama
3.7 Mitigation

Sources:
UNFCCC. 2017. Pocket Guide to Gender Equality. Available from
http://www.eurocapacity.org/downloads/Final-Gender.pdf
UN WomenWatch. 2009. Women, Gender Equality and Climate Change Fact Sheet.
Available from
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/climate_change/downloads/Women_and_Clim
ate_Change_Factsheet.pdf
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Dan Gold
3.8 Capacity Building

Source:
UN WomenWatch. 2009. Women, Gender Equality and Climate Change Fact Sheet.
Available from
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/climate_change/downloads/Women_and_Clim
ate_Change_Factsheet.pdf

3.9 Climate Finance

Women's direct participation in climate change decision-making
[Drop down text]:
Including women in the governing bodies of climate finance mechanisms is essential to
effectively and equitably design, implement and fund climate solutions. Also, direct
finance lines for women entrepreneurs can foster innovation. Women bring unique
perspectives and skills that are beneficial for effective adaptation and mitigation.
Gender responsive financing
[Drop down text]:
Climate finance mechanisms that do not take into account gender disparities could
exacerbate them. By taking a gender responsive approach, climate finance can promote
gender equality and empower women.
Further information:
Under the UNFCCC, the entities providing climate financing are:
• The Green Climate Fund (GCF) – their programmes require the inclusion of a
gender action plan: https://www.greenclimate.fund/how-we-work/mainstreaming-
gender
• The Global Environment Facility (GEF), guided by the Policy On Gender Equality
https://www.thegef.org/sites/default/files/council-meeting-
documents/EN_GEF.C.53.04_Gender_Policy.pdf
• Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
• Adaptation Fund (AF)

As of 2015, women, on average, made up just 24 per cent of the boards of major
multilateral climate finance mechanisms (15 per cent in the Green Climate Fund, 25 per
cent in the Global Environment Facility, 26 per cent in Climate Investment Funds and 35
per cent in the Adaptation Fund).

Complementary reading:
To find out more about how to mainstream gender in climate fund projects, please
access the GCF toolkit:
http://www.greenclimate.fund/documents/20182/194568/Guidelines_-
_GCF_Toolkit_Mainstreaming_Gender.pdf/860d1d03-877d-4c64-9a49-c0160c794ca7

Sources:
UNDP GCCA. 2011. Gender and Climate Change, Capacity development series, Africa,
Gender and Climate Change. Available from
https://www.uncclearn.org/sites/default/files/inventory/undp117.pdf
UNFCCC. 2014. Climate Finance. Available from
http://unfccc.int/focus/climate_finance/items/7001.php
UNFCCC. 2017. Pocket Guide to Gender Equality. Available from
http://www.eurocapacity.org/downloads/Final-Gender.pdf
Photo credit: UN Photo/Kibae
3.10 Technology

Example: In the energy sector, where technology plays a key role, men tend to focus their
efforts on commercial and large-scale industrial development, whereas women tend to
be more involved in energy solutions for households and communities.
Complementary reading:
To find out more about how to promote gender equality across all levels of policy and
programming, please access: Gender Mainstreaming in Mitigation and Technology
Development and Transfer Intervention
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-
empowerment/mainstreaming-gender-in-mitigation-and-technology.html

Sources:
Kopernik. 2015. Wonder Women Indonesia. Expanding Energy Access, Boosting Income
and Opportunities for Women. Available from https://www.kopernik.ngo/page/wonder-
women-indonesia
UNFCCC. 2014. Technology. Available from
http://unfccc.int/focus/technology/items/7000.php
UNFCCC. 2017. Pocket Guide to Gender Equality. Available from
http://www.eurocapacity.org/downloads/Final-Gender.pdf
Photo credit: Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash
3.11 How to Add a Gender Perspective in Climate Change Actions?

Recommendations:
● Ensure equal participation of women and men in the development and implementation
of local climate change adaptation and mitigation plans.
● Strengthen the capacity of environmental agencies and other stakeholders to ensure
that women and men benefit equitably from climate change adaptation and mitigation
investments.
● Increase the capacity of environmental agencies and other stakeholders to consult
with women and men on climate change impacts, and respond to women’s and men’s
needs and priorities.
● Increase understanding of various impacts of climate change and adaptation and
mitigation strategies on women and men living in poverty.
● Determine specific activities that address gender inequalities related to climate
change; for example, via promoting women and youth empowerment at all levels -
economic, social, political and physical; and by enhancing their access to water, energy
and decision-making processes at different levels, and addressing stereotypes through
awareness creation.
● Assess adaptation and mitigation technologies for their gender responsiveness: all
adaptation and mitigation aspects such as transport and promotion of biofuels must
be assessed from a gender perspective to ensure that inequalities between women
and men and rich and poor are not perpetuated.
● Take gender-conscious steps to reduce adverse impacts of natural disasters on
women and men, particularly in relation to their critical roles in the provision of water,
food and energy in rural areas.
● Adopt a household-members approach to ensure that all members are adequately
 involved in decision-making related to them. For example, when necessary, in
resettlement cases related to water development or in contracted farming, both
spouses should be aware and involved in decision-making.
● Use GALS (Gender Action Learning System) and Household Methodologies as a
community-led empowerment methodology with specific participatory processes and
tools which aim to give women as well as men more control over their lives as the
basis for individual, household, community and organisational development, including
for climate change related actions.

Sources:
Gender Action Learning for Sustainability at Scale (GALSatScale),
http://www.galsatscale.net
IFAD, Household methodologies for results and impact in IFAD-supported programmes
and projects
https://www.ifad.org/documents/10180/65ca5ea7-96e5-47d7-baa9-94d66dd6d293
Sepideh Labani
Photo credit: UN Photo/F Charton, UN Photo/Mark Garten, UN Photo/Loey Felipe

3.12 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Goal 5: Outlines the importance of gender equality and empowerment of all women and
girls.
Goal 6: Ensures availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Goal 7: Guarantees access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Goal 13: Requires taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Legal framework: “Achieving the greatest human potential and attaining sustainable
development is not possible if half of humanity continues to be denied its rights and
opportunities. Women and girls must enjoy equal access to quality education, economic
resources and political participation as well as equal opportunity with men and boys for
employment, leadership and decision-making at all levels. We will work for a significant
increase in investments to close the gender gap and strengthen support for institutions
in relation to gender equality and the empowerment of women at the global, national and
regional levels. All forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls will be
eliminated, including through the engagement of men and boys. The systematic
mainstreaming of a gender perspective in the implementation of the Agenda is crucial.”
(Paragraph 20 of the Declaration).

Source
United Nations Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform. Transforming Our World:
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Available from
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld

3.13 (Intended) Nationally Determined Contributions

Further information:
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) are the communicated
commitments by UNFCCC parties, outlining their national ambitions to reduce GHG
emissions. An NDC links a country’s climate mitigation and adaptation actions with
national priorities to drive progress in addressing climate change. As countries formally
join the Paris Agreement, the actions are no longer “intended” and become Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs).
As these climate plans affect a country’s entire economy and have long-term
consequences, it is critical that countries take gender considerations into account when
developing and implementing these plans to meet the different needs and perspectives
of both women and men and to make the policy and its action more effective. It is also
crucial in guaranteeing the fair and equal participation of women and men.

Complementary reading
To find out more about the status of gender equality in national climate policy as well as
the means of integrating gender at the national level, please access
● Gender Equality in National Climate Action: Planning for Gender-Responsive
Nationally Determined Contributions
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-
empowerment/gender-equality-in-national-climate-action--planning-for-gender-.html
● Gender Responsive National Communications/BURs Toolkit -
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-
empowerment/gender-responsive-national-communications.html

Source:
UNFCCC. 2014. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Available from
http://unfccc.int/focus/items/10240.php
http://genderandenvironment.org/resource/gender-in-mitigation-actions-egi-brief/
Photo credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

3.14 Good Practices - (Intended) Nationally Determined Contributions

Click on the yellow icons on the map:

● Ethiopia's long-term plan for adaptation aims to “integrate actions that improve the
status of women and the welfare of children”.
● Nigeria’s INDC mentions that women rely on biomass energy sources and are therefore
exposed to dangerous air pollutants. The INDC also acknowledges that women have
less access to financial institutions and agricultural services than their male
counterparts.
● Kiribati’s INDC states that the effects and consequences of climate change are
experienced first and most acutely by vulnerable groups, including women.
● Mexico: “Policies and actions as part of the INDC will include a cross-cutting human
rights and gender perspective for the measures to be implemented to take into account
women as important decision makers regarding energy consumption. They also
emphasize the importance of implementing them such that they do not exacerbate the
impacts of climate change that already have disproportionate adverse effects based
solely on gender.”
Sources:
IUCN & Gender and Global Gender and Climate Alliance. 2015. Roots for the Future - The
Landscape and Way Forward on Gender and Climate Change. Available from
http://genderandenvironment.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/RFTF-CH-2.pdf 2015
IUCN Global Gender Office. 2016. Gender in Mitigation Actions: EGI Brief. Available from
http://genderandenvironment.org/resource/gender-in-mitigation-actions-egi-brief/

3.15 The NDC Support Programme

3.16 Gender Responsive Projects

Click to find out more

Gender-responsive stakeholder consultations: Identify women and men likely to be
affected by the project activities, and ensure equal participation and decision-making
opportunities across the project cycle through inclusive and gender-responsive
stakeholder consultations.
Gender analysis: Collection and analysis of sex-disaggregated data and gender
information to inform project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Gender-responsive actions: Project activities proactively address gender differences
and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation: Identify and incorporate gender-sensitive
indicators and targets to measure project results in monitoring, evaluation, reporting and
learning.

Further information:
Tools and guidelines

1. GEF (2018): Guidance to Advance Gender Equality in GEF projects and

programmes. https://www.thegef.org/sites/default/files/council-meeting-
documents/EN_GEF.C.54.Inf_.05_Guidance_Gender.pdf
2. UNDP (2016): Guide to gender mainstreaming in UNDP Supported GEF Financed
 Projects toolkit.
3. IUCN (2013): Framework for Conducting Gender Responsive Analysis.
http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/framework_gender_analysis.pdf
4. UNIDO (2015): Guide on Gender Mainstreaming: Environmental Management
Projects. https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/2015-
02/Gender_Environmental_Management_Projects_0.pdf
5. UNDP (2010): Gender, Climate Change and Community-based Adaptation
Guidebook.
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environ
ment-energy/www-ee-library/climate-change/gender-climate-change-and-
community-based-adaptation-guidebook-
/Gender%20Climate%20Change%20and%20Community%20Based%20Adaptation
%20(2).pdf
6. World Agroforestry Centre: Compilation of Gender Research Methods and their
Application. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/default/files/compilation-
of-gender-research-methods.xls
7. UNDP (2016): How to Conduct a Gender Analysis.
https://info.undp.org/sites/bpps/SES_Toolkit/SES%20Document%20Library/Upl
oaded%20October%202016/UNDP%20Guidance%20Note%20how%20to%20cond
uct%20a%20gender%20analysis.pdf
8. Green Climate Fund Toolkit – Mainstreaming Gender.
https://www.greenclimate.fund/documents/20182/574766/Guidelines_-
_GCF_Toolkit_Mainstreaming_Gender.pdf/860d1d03-877d-4c64-9a49-
c0160c794ca7

3.17 Point of Reflection

3.18 Good Practices - Project Level

3.19 Case Study - Adaptation

Issue: In Mali, women’s income generating activities include gardening and processing
of non-timber forest products. Men typically focus on growing cash crops. With less
frequent rains due to climate change, these crops will suffer, putting more pressure on
women’s productive activities as well as increasing the time they need to fetch water
and firewood.
Action: To reduce the risks that climate change poses on livelihoods and food security,
the Mali National Directorate of Agriculture partnered with UNDP to strengthen
agricultural resilience in four municipalities. With support from the Government of
Canada and the GEF’s Least Developed Countries Fund, the project, titled “Enhancing
Adaptive Capacity and Resilience to Climate Change in the Agriculture Sector in Mali,”
focused on empowering women as drivers of adaptation.
Impact: A solar energy platform was provided to a women’s collective to help to grind
flour, a very time-intensive process in meal preparation. This enables women to focus on
other activities, providing alternative income. Training on sustainable agricultural
practices, the provision of seeds and tools, and the establishment of revolving funds
complemented the support. The project also strives to better integrate climate change
and related gender considerations into municipal-level policies and plans.
Sources:
https://undp-adaptation.exposure.co/climate-resilient-women
Photo credit: UN Photo/B Wolff

3.20 Case Study - Capacity Building

Notes:

Issue: In Spain, the waste produced by the oil used for daily cooking represents an
important environmental issue. Its inadequate disposal can have harmful impacts, such
as hindering sewage treatment and polluting ecosystems. At the same time, women who
have been victims of gender-based violence expressed an interest in new opportunities
to re-build their lives.
Action: By collecting used cooking oil, the Otro Tiempo Otro Planeta initiative seeks to
create employment from the social economy. Its objective is to empower women
economically and socially, and to develop a locally-organized sage waste disposal
system for used cooking oil to be transformed into biodiesel. This creates jobs for
women who have been victims of gender violence while contributing to the reduction of
water pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.
Impact: Around 34 tons of cooking oil waste produced 30,473 litres of biodiesel (this
produces 86 per cent less GHG than petrol). Also, women who were victims of gender
violence were empowered economically and improved their living conditions.

Source:
Women Gender Constituency. 2016. Gender Just Climate Solutions. Available from
http://womengenderclimate.org/gender-just-climate-solutions/
Photo credit: Fancy Crave on Unsplash

3.21 Case Study - Climate Finance

Issue: As agricultural production is affected by climate change, food supplies become

more insecure. As farmers, harvesters, processors and consumers, women are often the
first to be exposed to climate change. They also have to spend an increasing amount of
time securing water, food and fuel for cooking and heating.
Action: The Canada-UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Facility (CCAF), with support
from the Government of Canada and the GEF’s Least Developed Countries Fund, took
action across Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Haiti, Mali, Niger and Sudan to implement gender-
responsive approaches to climate change adaptation. In particular, it helped women to
increase food production and overcome water scarcity through rehabilitation of water
harvesting systems. Context-specific approaches were promoted, ranging from new
agricultural practices to ensuring gender equitable land tenure and reinforcing women’s
networks.
Impact: Across all six countries, CCAF projects have contributed to increased
agricultural outcomes and supported women as food producers. Women managed to
diversify their livelihoods and had a significant role in both designing and implementing
climate-resilient activities, becoming key actors of change.
Sources:
UNDP. 2016. Climate Adaptation in Climate Change Contributed to Causes, Community
& Nature
https://undp-adaptation.exposure.co/women-food-climate
UNDP. 2016. Learning from the Canada-UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Facility
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/climate-and-disaster-
resilience-/gender-responsive-climate-change-adaptation.html

3.22 Case Study Mitigation

Issue: Forests support the livelihoods of 500 million people, providing food, fuel, fodder
for livestock, medicine and shelter. Therefore, deforestation and forest degradation
considerably affect forest-dependent communities and indigenous peoples, while
causing the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.
Action: CBR+ is a partnership between the UN-REDD Programme and the GEF Small
Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by UNDP, delivering grants directly to
indigenous peoples and forest communities. The project aims to empower such
communities to fully engage in REDD+, including, among others, better definition of land
use rights and development of benefit sharing mechanisms. Gender considerations are
part of the criteria for project selection and monitoring. Also, guidance is provided to
each pilot country to ensure gender equality principles are promoted within the design
and implementation of their CBR+ Country Plans.
Impact: During the pilot phase (2014-2017), CBR+ was implemented in six pilot
countries: Paraguay, Panama, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cambodia and Sri
Lanka. In DRC, Nigeria, Cambodia and Sri Lanka, gender considerations were integrated
in the outputs defined in the Country Plans. Women were specifically identified as key
stakeholders in five plans (Cambodia, Sri Lanka, DRC, Nigeria and Paraguay).
Complementary reading:
Un-Redd Methodological Brief on Gender. 2017.
http://www.unredd.net/documents/global-programme-191/gender-and-womens-
empowerment-in-redd-1044/global-gender-resources/15952-technical-resource-series-4-
un-redd-methodological-brief-on-gender-low-resolution-version.html
The Redd Desk. 2016. Forests: Why Are They Important?
https://theredddesk.org/what-redd
Photo credit: kazuend on Unsplash

3.23 Case Study - Technology

Issue: In 2007, Wanja Wallemyr, a female farmer and activist living in rural Sweden,
wanted to invest in a community wind farm but could not afford the initial minimum
investment of US$ 154,000. Recognizing that the energy sector is dominated by men, but
also that opportunities exist to increase women's involvement in the industry, Wallemyr
and nine others gathered funds to invest in the community wind farm project, named
Qvinnovindar.
Action: Qvinnovindar focuses on the equal representation of all of its members,
regardless of the member’s initial investment - therefore implementing inclusive
business practices by including women from all fields of work to be part of the
cooperative.
Impact: Women were empowered economically to enter the energy market and, to date,
Qvinnovindar has invested more than US$1.5 million in other wind and clean energy
projects in Sweden.

Sources:
Haugen, Dan. 2013. Swedish Co-op Creates a Stake for Women in Wind Industry.
Available from
http://grist.org/climate-energy/swedish-co-op-creates-a-stake-for-women-in-wind-industry/
IUCN & Gender and Global Gender and Climate Alliance. 2015. Roots for the Future - The
Landscape and Way Forward on Gender and Climate Change. Available from
http://genderandenvironment.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/RFTF-CH-2.pdf
Photo credit: Jon Flobrant on Unsplash

3.24 Case Study – Local Communities

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3S5haIOiD0
3.25 Key Message

3.26 And You?

3.27 Module Summary