“Climate change is not gender neutral – it disproportionately impacts women and girls. Already, the climate crisis amplifies existing gender inequalities and poses a serious threat to women’s livelihoods, health, and wellbeing,” – Razan Al Mubarak President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature

During COP28’s Gender Equality Day, ministers and senior officials engaged in discussions facilitated by the UNFCCC, led by COP28’s High-Level Champion, Razan Al Mubarak. The focus was on establishing a gender-responsive just transition to facilitate the execution of the Paris Agreement. The outcome was the COP28 Gender-Responsive Just Transitions & Climate Action Partnership, backed by over 60 Parties. This partnership encompasses commitments in areas such as data, finance, and equal opportunities, with a review scheduled at COP31.

International Labor Organisation (ILO) statistics reveal that 1.2 billion jobs, equivalent to 40 per cent of the global labour force, face jeopardy due to global warming and environmental degradation. Women, predominantly employed in climate-sensitive sectors, are anticipated to bear the brunt of these effects. Recognising the imminent shifts in job dynamics amid the transition to a sustainable economy, ministers and officials pledged commitments to bolster women’s economic empowerment and safeguard their livelihoods.

“Climate change is not gender neutral – it disproportionately impacts women and girls. Already, the climate crisis amplifies existing gender inequalities and poses a serious threat to women’s livelihoods, health, and well-being. To deliver a just transition, we must reform the architecture of the global financial system and ensure finance flows to the regions and the people who need it the most. But we must also invest in women’s economic empowerment to ensure no one is left behind”, said Razan Al Mubarak.

The newly established partnership aligns with the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan, emphasising three core pillars: enhanced data quality for informed decision-making, more efficient finance distribution to climate-affected regions, and education, skills, and capacity building for individual involvement in transitions.

“The rights of women and girls must be at the centre of climate action, including here at COP28. We must ensure that women have a seat at the decision-making table. We must strengthen inclusive decision-making so that the voices of feminists, youth, indigenous, and other grassroots movements can be heard loud and clear from the local to the global level”, said Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director.

Looking ahead, climate change could thrust an additional 158 million women and girls into poverty globally by mid-century. Bridging the gender data gap is imperative to tailoring climate finance to meet the specific needs of women, particularly in vulnerable regions. The COP28 Gender-Responsive Just Transitions & Climate Action Partnership marks a significant step toward addressing gender disparities exacerbated by climate change and ensuring an inclusive and equitable response.