COP28: Why a gender power divide threatens climate progress

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🗞️ Driving the news: The Lowy Institute's article highlights the critical role gender plays in global climate change negotiations, emphasizing the need for gender inclusivity in these discussions
• It points out that climate change, while not inherently gender-discriminatory, disproportionately impacts women and non-binary individuals due to existing gendered power structures

🔭 The context: The Lowy Institute refers to examples from Papua New Guinea and Australia, where women and non-binary individuals face increased burdens due to climate change
• In Papua New Guinea, women spend hours collecting water, while in Australia, bushfires have led to a rise in domestic violence against women
• It further discusses the broader implications of climate change on gender inequities, including child marriages and the vulnerability of transgender people during disasters

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The gendered impacts of climate change are a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing inequalities
• This makes gender considerations crucial for effective and inclusive climate action
• Without addressing these gender-specific impacts, climate action efforts may lack longevity and effectiveness

⏭️ What's next: The upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP28) is a pivotal moment for addressing these issues
• However, concerns are raised about the representation of diverse voices, especially given the gendered power divide observed in previous COPs

💬 One quote: "Gender equity is not only imperative in its own right, but a necessity for meaningful climate action." (Sarah Morley, Monash Sustainable Development Institute)

📈 One stat: At COP27 in 2022, there was an unbalanced gender split among delegates, with 63% men and 37% women, and non-conforming genders not accounted for

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