Gender and climate change: Evolution over time, current status and prospects for COP26 and beyond

Gender intersects with other facets of social identity to create power differences and inequalities which are reflected in differential vulnerability and adaptive capacity in the face of climate change.

Applying a gender lens to climate change response is therefore important to ensure equity in mitigation and adaptation. The role of gender has been recognised in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, particularly with the (now enhanced) Lima Work Programme on Gender and (now enhanced Gender Action Plan).

This presentation will give an overview of the evolution of consideration of gender within the UNFCCC process, take stock of progress, and provide some prospects for how it will be addressed at COP26 and beyond, including what this means for water-related activities.

Biography

Dr Katharine Vincent is director of Kulima Integrated Development Solutions in South Africa and holds visiting researcher positions at the Universities of KwaZulu Natal and Leeds. She works within the fields of adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction in the global South, particularly Africa and Asia. She conducts applied research, typically through international and transdisciplinary partnerships, and uses insights from research to undertake technical consulting relating to adaptation policy and practice. She is committed to taking a gender-sensitive approach to participatory processes to design effective and equitable strategies to respond to climate change.