Bridging the gender, climate, and health gap: the road to COP29

Article Type

Review Article

Publication Title

Lancet Planetary Health

Abstract

Focusing specifically on the gender–climate–health nexus, this Personal View builds on existing feminist works and analyses to discuss why intersectional approaches to climate policy and inclusive representation in climate decision making are crucial for achieving just and equitable solutions to address the impacts of climate change on human health and societies. This Personal View highlights how women, girls, and gender-diverse people often face disproportionate climate-related health impacts, particularly those who experience compounding and overlapping vulnerabilities due to current and former systems of oppression. We summarise the insufficient meaningful inclusion of gender, health, and their intersection in international climate governance. Despite the tendency to conflate gender equality with number-based representation, climate governance under the UNFCCC (1995–2023) remains dominated by men, with several countries projected to take over a decade to achieve gender parity in their Party delegations. Advancing gender-responsiveness in climate policy and implementation and promoting equitable participation in climate governance will not only improve the inclusivity and effectiveness of national strategies, but will also build more resilient, equitable, and healthier societies.

First Page

e1088

Last Page

e1105

DOI

10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00270-5

Publication Date

12-1-2024

Comments

Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

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