Women are on the front lines of climate change. They should be at COP26.
The highly anticipated United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) begins this weekend.
Called the “world’s last best chance to get runaway climate change under control” by the organizers, they note that “for nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits... In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.”
Climate change disproportionately impacts women.
Inclusion is critical in these conversations, especially when it comes to women. Beyond comprising more than half the global population, women disproportionately bear the burden of climate change. According to the Guardian:
“As women are responsible in many countries for gathering fuel, water and food, they often suffer the most when shortages are caused or made worse by the climate crisis. As they are usually lacking land rights, they are also more likely to be displaced in climate disasters. Studies have also found the climate crisis exacerbates gender-based violence against women.”
Women in low and middle income countries are experiencing a heightened and growing danger of sexual violence, greater food insecurity, and a higher mortality rate – all related to and exacerbated by climate change.
These risks put women on the front lines of the fight against climate change. They are our boots on the ground and have hard-won learnings that can inform broader efforts. According to Katherine Quaid of WECAN, the inclusion of indigenous women is particularly key. They are connected to the land in areas where biodiversity is at risk and have generations of traditional knowledge.
So where are they in these conversations?
The most vulnerable are the least represented.
Despite the facts, we are approaching critical climate talks with a warranted outcry about the lack of women with a seat at the table. As many Avengers will note, the presence of a “Gender Day” at COP26 is the equivalent of siloing women.
Enter women-led organizations that are taking action on representation:
She Changes Climate, whose “global mission is to ensure all delegations, for all climate negotiations, have at least a 50% representation of diverse women at their top levels, now and in the future”. They have launched the #5050Vision campaign calling for all parties to be represented in decision-making and issued an open letter signed by 400 influential women stating that “It is incomprehensible that half the planet is not represented in the senior leadership team where the framing, narrative, issues and content for COP26 will be decided.”
WECAN (Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network, International) issued a call to action to governments and financial institutions signed by 150 organizations, listing the promotion of women’s leadership and gender equity as a top priority.
The Female Quotient has recognized that “we cannot works towards a net-zero economy without ensuring that diverse voices have a seat at the table” and will convene an Equality Lounge on November 9th at COP26 to highlight the importance of creating a more diverse and equitable economy for all.
Avengers, take action.
Follow the organizations fighting for change. And as you see climate discussions unfold, lists of speakers on climate, experts cited in articles, please grab your GA Tally and let us know what you are seeing. This is the time to take action and pressure decision makers. Women need to have a seat at this table. Lives depend on it.