Review of the Gender Action Plan

By Shannon Greene, Researcher at EmpoderaClima

After nearly two weeks of extensive negotiations at COP25 climate talks in Madrid in December of 2019, one of the great conference results is that governments will be adopting a new 5-year Gender Action Plan (GAP). The updated GAP progressively builds upon the previous Gender Action Plan and Lima Work Programme, and recognizes many of the concerns raised by civil society and the Women and Gender Constituency during the conference,  including calls for greater focus on implementation and scaling up gender-just climate solutions.

This enhanced Lima Work Programme and Gender Action Plan aims to provide a framework for accelerating the implementation of gender responsive climate policy and action, as well as “sustaining women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in the UNFCCC process”. Read the draft text here.

Although a progressive plan did come through in the end, the process was not without its doubts. There were delays in negotiations due to process challenges and disagreements on previously agreed-upon language, as well as finance and means of implementation. Many feared that COP25 would be fruitless in regards to gender outcomes.

After extensive mobilization from civil society and women and gender groups, parties did come through with a plan that included human rights language, and progressively builds upon the first Gender Action Plan and Lima work Programme;

“In comparison to the initial GAP, new activities provide the opportunity to meaningfully shift towards capacity building and enhanced implementation of gender-responsive climate action at all levels, including for example, the promotion of gender-responsive technology solutions and and preserving local, indigenous and traditional knowledge and practices in different sectors” said Ndivile Mokoena, from GenderCC – Women for Climate Justice Southern Africa.

Although COP25 was not viewed as a success on a broader scale, the Gender Action Plan was certainly a victory for women and gender groups. However, much more needs to be done to ensure the enactment of human rights and gender equality. Countries are urged to fully sign and implement the Paris Agreement so that gender equality can be advanced with a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming.

We must hold governments accountable to ensure they implement what they have agreed to do - that is - a gender equitable and just transition, a recognition of indigenous peoples rights and encouraging full, equal and meaningful participation to advance gender-responsive climate action. Policies that centre women’s leadership, acknowledges the impacts of colonialism, and putting those who are most impacted - women of colour, indigenous women, people with disabilities, LGBTQI groups, refugees, migrants and youth - at the forefront is integral to achieving climate justice.

Although much more action is needed, the Gender Action Plan is certainly a progressive step in this realization. As Bridget Burns, Director of WEDO, commented on the GAP; “We know we are far from that reality. The GAP is a tool to advance progress on both gender equality and effective climate solutions, but gender equality does not live in the GAP. It is realized through just and bold climate action”.

We cannot simply continue as ‘business as usual’. We need a just and equitable transition to a carbon-free economy, otherwise, the cycle will be continued, and no real solutions will be brought to the surface. Climate change will not be solved with short term solutions. As young climate activist Jamie Margolin eloquently put it; “Right now, world leaders are trying to solve the climate crisis — a problem caused by colonialism and capitalism — with more colonialism and capitalism. That is insanity”. 

The Gender Action Plan is a wonderful outcome from COP25, however, as we have learned from the negotiations, we are far from gender equality within the UNFCCC process. Women only accounted for 39% of national delegations, which is a decrease from 40% in 2018. Even more disconcerting is that only 21% of women were heads of their delegation, which is again, another decrease from the previous year. According to WEDO, if this pattern continues we will not reach gender parities in heads of delegation until 2068. To see the report, click here.