Repositioning Gender: Past, Present and Future+

Abstract

Climate change is accelerating gender inequality, as climate extremes amplify inequalities, vulnerabilities, negative gender norms, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) rates increase during times of disaster. Yet the gendered experiences of climate change have to date been inadequately factored into climate law and policy-making, with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) traditionally limiting its focus to ‘gender balance’ in representation within the regime. This article explores the development of gender considerations within the UNFCCC by reflecting upon where we have come from, where we are now and where we are going with respect with gender. While there was very little progress in the early days of the UNFCCC, this article shows that from 2001 to the present there have been a series of small gains, which this article will explain and critique. Much remains to be done, however, for gender within the UNFCCC. In recommending future actions, it draws particularly on lessons from the Pacific and Australian experiences.