Jean McLean’s Post

In Ireland and globally, women and marginalised communities are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Yet, women are underrepresented in the decision making. Last year, at COP28, women made up just 34% of national delegations, and there were initially no women appointed to the 28-member COP29 climate committee - 12 women were added to the committee only because of backlash which rightfully called the initial committee makeup regressive. COP29 should be a pivotal moment for committing to a fair, fast transition away from fossil fuels with a strong focus on gender equality and actions that ensure women have equal access to resources, equal participation in climate decision-making, and that their specific needs are central in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. #FeministClimateJustice now https://lnkd.in/d-9vv_DV

💚🌏 Happy International Women's Day 🌏💚 Women play a crucial role in solving the climate crisis, so through our co-founder Jo Hand, we want to re-share two articles this #iwd2024 to help #breakthebias, #embraceequity and celebrate women in leadership. 🌏 Why women are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis and what we can do about it. https://lnkd.in/dPNxe7dT 🙋🏽♀️ Celebrating women leaders to build a net-zero future https://lnkd.in/ddXdwzcM

Let’s draw some awareness to the stalled negotiations on gender in climate action at 29th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP29). The renewal of the Lima Work Programme on Gender, a framework for gender-inclusive/responsive climate policies, is being challenged. This delay jeopardizes efforts to equitably address the impact of climate change on women and marginalized groups by establishing gender-inclusive policies to reduce these vulnerabilities. 

We were warned about this a few months ago - the language around gender has to be agreed on, as we need to get the nuance into policy if we want to see the #COP negotiations in general and #COP29 in particular to deliver meaningful outcomes. Why do we have to pay attention to this? This really matters for #women and #diversity- 50% of the world’s population, who suffer much more adverse outcomes from #climatechange and are - at the same time - the key solutionaries on the ground. Too much depends on their involvement and buy-in - in creating policy and delivering it on the ground. SHE Changes Climate #women #gender #genderequality #climate #risk #equity Fiona Harvey Camilla Cavendish Annette Young Bridget K. Burns Monique Nanchen Fleur Newman Gulnora Mukhamadieva Mahmoud Mohieldin Razan Al Mubarak Kristina Rodriguez Nigar Arpadarai Peter McKillop Philippa Nuttall Shahin Ashraf MBE, Prof. Husna Ahmad, OBE, PhD Jess Ayers Kate Hampton Linda Weisert Sandrine Dixson-Declève Robyn James Kirsten Dunlop Leslie Johnston, M.Sc. Alice Garton Iris Mwanza Vicki Wilde Janet Salisbury Osprey Orielle Lake Carey Bohjanen Ellen Windemuth Brigitte Mohn Dr Lorna Gold Rachael Orr Sonia Medina María Mendiluce Catherine McKenna Kate Wylie Emma Howard Boyd CBE Nani Jansen Reventlow Nisha Owen

Globally, only 28% of ministers of environment were women in 2024, a decline from 32% in 2023. The full and equal participation of women and girls in decision-making processes is a top priority in #ClimateAction. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ghPhh9sv UN Environment Programme Asia and the Pacific #COP29

GENDER WITHIN #UNFCCC NEGOTIATIONS AT #COP29 IS UNDER ATTACK As pointed out by Climate Home, Gender talks are going nowhere. While all eyes may be on finance at COP29, a group of negotiators are also fighting about an overlooked decision on gender that remains gridlocked after the first week of talks. Established at COP20, the Lima Work Programme on Gender provides guidelines for gender-responsive climate policies, which then informs a Gender Action Plan (GAP) every five years. The Lima work programme is due to be renewed here in Baku, aiming to advance gender considerations more effectively in climate action. However, negotiations have been lengthy and complex. The main sticking points are finance and human rights and gender equality language agreed within the #UnitedNations. As noted by Climate Home, "observers say Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Vatican – among other socially conservative countries – have been the main blockers. Divisions are so bad that talks could collapse". We risk reaching no agreement and pushing the decision to next year’s COP. Negotiators also told Climate Home that "they had hoped for more help from the presidency, but said Azerbaijan had yet to prioritize the issue. Earlier in the year, the COP presidency also came under fire for announcing a COP29 committee with 28 members and no women. They later included 12 women after getting backlash from observers. This imbalance is not uncommon: at last year’s COP, only 15 of 133 world leaders present were women. This year, the number dropped further, representing just 8%". #IPCC, in its #AR6, clearly indicates that the negative impacts of climate change stem from social and political processes as well as existing structural inequalities. These impacts are distributed unequally among various groups, including women, youth, the elderly, people from different ethnic backgrounds, the urban poor, and socially excluded communities. This inequity is exacerbated by the unequal distribution of resources and inadequate access to them. Those who are structurally disadvantaged—facing social, economic, and political inequalities due to historical discrimination, marginalization, or disenfranchisement—are disproportionately vulnerable to the harmful effects of climate-related hazards. HELP RAISE THE VOICE Christiana Figueres, Melanne Verveer,UN Women,#genderequality,#womenrights, #humanrights,Rachel Kyte,Natalie Isaacs,Verona Collantes-Lebale,UN Convention to Combat Desertification,United Nations,UNDP, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim,United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), #genderspecialists, .

The COP29 climate conference concluded on 24 November with several key global agreements on climate action, including a new collective goal for climate-related financing to reach USD 300 billion per year by 2035. Throughout the conference, supporters of gender equality made their voices heard, calling for a gender-responsive transition to a sustainable global economy, and deepening the integration of gender equality and feminist principles in all climate actions. Some progress has been achieved in recognizing women as an important beneficiary group of climate finance and on recognizing women in the informal economy as essential to just transitions to low-emission economies. Parties renewed their commitments to gender-responsive climate policy and action, but without the requisite funding and scope to fully address the specific circumstances and intersecting discrimination faced by many women. Extending the Enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender: The programme’s 10-year extension offers the critical opportunity to further deepen integration of gender equality issues into climate action. Acknowledging gender issues in the new climate finance goal: The decision on the New Collective Quantified Goal identifies that climate finance must engage and benefit women and other marginalized groups, and respect, protect, promote, and fulfill human rights. Increasing women’s participation: Provisional data shows that 35 per cent of delegates at COP29 were women, compared to 34 per cent in COP28. Overall, the decisions made at COP29 represent steps forward for gender-responsive climate action, but also reflect some significant missed opportunities. BUT A lack of clear goals for gender-responsive climate finance- what is the share for women from the $300 billion? Leadership remains largely male- With less than 6 women representatives. No recognition of women. Insufficient gender-disaggregated data Failure to adopt the UAE Just Transition Work Programme: A sustainable future demands on the full inclusion of women and girls as leaders, decision-makers, and communities. UN Women will be working with and supporting parties in the months to come to ensure the adoption of a strong and forward-looking UNFCCC Gender Action Plan at COP30 in Belem, Brazil is adopted.

The annual COP conference has once again highlighted the significant gender imbalance in climate decision-making roles 🌍, which remains a major concern for equitable climate leadership. The representation of women in climate leadership roles is starkly insufficient, as evidenced by the current composition of COP29's organizing committee. Initially, the committee consisted entirely of male members, prompting widespread criticism ⚖️. In response, Azerbaijan expanded the committee to include 12 women to address the imbalance (Council on Foreign Relations). Despite these efforts, women hold only 12 positions on the committee 👥, which equates to approximately 15%, compared to the 85% of positions held by men. This is far from reflective of their proportion within the global population and underscores the persistent challenges in achieving gender parity in climate governance. Given that women make up 51% of the global population, their underrepresentation at the decision-making table is both surprising and unacceptable. ❗ We continue to discuss climate justice yet fail to represent those most directly impacted by climate change. Women and girls disproportionately bear the brunt of climate impacts, yet their voices remain marginalized. Advocacy groups, such as the Global Women Leaders' Letter ahead of COP29, have urged that gender equality be central to the conference's agenda (GIWPS). The gender gap in climate leadership is not merely an issue of equity; it has tangible consequences for policy outcomes. Studies consistently show that women are more likely to advocate for policies that prioritize community needs, social equity, and sustainability. When women’s perspectives are absent, vital viewpoints on resilience, adaptation, and inclusivity are often missing 🌱, weakening climate action. Research by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) shows that countries with higher female representation in parliament tend to adopt more robust climate policies. Women’s leadership correlates with greater emphasis on environmental protection and community engagement, both critical for addressing the climate crisis. 🌿 The International Union for Conservation of Nature emphasizes that #empoweringwomen through climate education and leadership significantly enhances community adaptive capacity. Women, particularly in vulnerable regions, are on the front lines of climate impacts—managing water, securing food, and ensuring family well-being. Their experiences provide valuable insights for practical climate solutions. Equitable representation not only upholds fairness but also brings diverse perspectives that contribute to sustainable solutions. It is 2024, and it is time to make genuine progress toward equality ✨—beyond rhetoric and into representation. We all stand to gain when every voice is heard. #COP29 #GenderEquality #ClimateLeadership #RepresentationMatters #EqualityInAction Charli K. Matthews

https://lnkd.in/dmcvHEUN "Women, especially in rural areas in the Global South, suffer disproportionally more from the effects of climate change than men. Existing social norms, unfortunately, exacerbate gender-specific climate vulnerabilities of women. 2024 is a critical year for gender in the UN Climate Change negotiations. Beginning in June, Parties will undertake a final review of the decade-old Lima Work Programme adopted at the COP 20 and enhanced at the COP 25 by including the Gender Action Plan (GAP). This comprehensive review will take stock of the global progress on GAP and decide on the way forward".. An op-ed by myself and Dr Aparajita Banerjee

New Post: Women’s Voices Ignored Until the End of COP29 - https://lnkd.in/e3xvZ-hK Voices Ignored Until the End of COP29https://lnkd.in/eEjQAvKk the warm heart of West Africa, where the rhythms of life pulse through the land, I stand as a climate action activist and environmental storyteller. Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu The writer In the warm heart of West Africa, where the rhythms of life pulse through the land, I stand as a climate action activist and environmental storyteller. Driven by the urgency of a rapidly changing climate and the often-drowned voices of women, I felt a surge of anticipation for the 29th session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. It’s where global decisions take shape and people unite to tackle the climate crisis. Yet, as I scanned the conference schedule, a chilling realisation sank in—a recognition that made my heart heavy. End of agenda Gender equality, Indigenous rights, biodiversity, oceans, and coastal zones. These critical issues, each intricately tied to the climate emergency, are scheduled for the final day of COP29, November 21st, just hours before the conference closes on the 22nd. How can these pivotal topics—vital for a sustainable future—be relegated to the last items on the agenda? Activists and advocates who have fought tirelessly to bring gender to the table are once again faced with its placement at the very end. Some might argue, “At least it’s on the agenda,” as if that should suffice. But the truth is starker. Many attendees, already weary after two weeks of discussions, will be preparing to leave, minds focused on their priorities, passports in hand. Gender equality—an issue deeply woven into the lives of women who bear the brunt of climate injustice—will be heard by only a fraction of those who could drive change. Women’s silent struggle I think of the rural women in Ghana, whose lives are disrupted by shifting weather patterns—women who walk miles for water, who struggle to grow food for their families, who lose everything in storms. These women bear the heaviest burden of the climate crisis, yet their voices remain on the periphery, heard only when time is running out. Despite countless calls for gender equity, fair representation, and a true seat at the table, this injustice is repeated again and again. Barriers and silence The hypocrisy is profound. We speak of gender equality, yet how many women were even granted accreditation to attend this crucial conference? I was denied accreditation by Ghana's Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI)—a barrier standing firmly with no explanation. I can’t remain silent because it’s not just about me—it’s about every woman fighting to be heard, every woman who deserves to stand alongside those making decisions that impact her life. As the climate c