New Method Helps Cities Include Gender Equality in Climate Policies

What is it about?

This study presents the development and application of the Gender Assessment and Monitoring of Mitigation and Adaptation (GAMMA) methodology in collaboration with women's organizations across India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa. This methodology enables a thorough analysis of the institutional frameworks and urban climate policies with a focus on gender equality. The study was conducted in 14 pilot cities, leading to policy recommendations that aim to integrate gender considerations into urban climate mitigation and adaptation actions effectively. The findings indicate that the use of GAMMA has significantly raised awareness of gender issues in urban climate policies and provided a tool for civil society organizations to advocate for gender-just and inclusive cities. The study highlights that gender equality must be recognized within climate policies, considering gender roles, norms, and power relations, with an emphasis on basic rights such as access to water, food, energy, and mobility. It also discusses the challenges and importance of mainstreaming gender into urban climate action and provides a methodological approach to address this gap.

Featured Image

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study investigates the integration of gender equality into urban climate policies, a significant area of research given the underexplored nexus of gender and climate change. The development and application of the Gender Assessment and Monitoring of Mitigation and Adaptation (GAMMA) methodology is crucial for understanding how urban climate policies can be enhanced to address gender inequalities. The research holds broader relevance as it provides civil society organizations and local governments with a tool to foster low-carbon, resilient, gender-just, and inclusive urban environments. Key Takeaways: 1. The study introduces the GAMMA methodology, which provides a framework for analyzing urban climate policies with a gender lens, enabling cities to develop more inclusive adaptation and mitigation strategies. 2. Findings reveal that the application of the GAMMA methodology in 14 pilot cities led to specific policy recommendations, highlighting the potential for gender-responsive climate action to address existing inequalities in urban settings. 3. The research demonstrates that while there is sufficient evidence of gendered vulnerability to climate impacts, there is still limited experience in integrating gender considerations into urban climate policies, underscoring the need for more systematic approaches like GAMMA.