In 2006, FAO, the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, published a 58-Page text on – GENDER: THE MISSING COMPONENT OF THE RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. Now, we have read the challenges of our women climate advocates at COP 20, the Sustainable Innovation Forum on Climate Action, and look ahead to continued Sessions of the FCCC, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Women Gender Constituency of the UNFCCC gave an objective analysis of COP 20 - http://www.wunrn.com/news/2014/12_14/12_15/121514_cop_files/COP%2020-Women's%20Press%20Release-Climate%20Change.pdf and noted the launch of the Lima Work Programme on Gender. http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/lima_dec_2014/decisions/application/pdf/auv_cop20_gender.pdf
“Although COP 20 did see the launch of the 'Lima Work Programme on Gender', which aims to advance implementation of gender-responsive climate policies and mandates across all areas of the negotiations, this critical initiative faced challenges as well, with governments trading language on ‘gender equality’ for ‘gender balance.’”
Women Gender Constituency of the FCCC member, Bridget Burns of WEDO stated clearly: “The WGC insists that a fundamental framework of a strong “rights-based” agreement that is focused on climate justice must be the goal for COP 21 to be held in Paris, France, in 2015. Without gender equality, women’s rights, indigenous peoples rights and climate justice, including financing for loss and damage, a rapid transition to safe and renewable energies, massive commitment and emissions reductions by the developed world, and full participation of those most impacted, the programme of work to be done will be incubated and launched within an empty shell and will do little to support the lives of millions, nor protect the precious ecosystems upon which we depend for our survival.”
So let’s look back to 2006, noting that we are about to enter 2015, and reflect on the FAO publication extracts:
*Gender aspects have been neglected in the climate change negotiations.
*Necessary at the national and international levels is mapping of gender-specific emission profiles, mitigative and adaptive capacity. Mitigation focuses on tackling the very cause of climate change.
*There is a need to document the different energy consumption patterns of both men and women since this is now greatly lacking. (NOTE: The text repeatedly refers to women’s more traditional roles.)
*As natural resource managers, women must be involved in the efforts of anticipating adverse impacts deriving from climate change.
*The aim must include avoiding women taking up a male emissions profile while achieving and adaptive capacity that is as good as the one of the average male….
*Gender considerations should be introduced in the key critical issues on the climate change agenda.
SO, WE AS WOMEN HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN OUR ACTIVISM ON CLIMATE CHANGE, AND ARE A SERIOUS, ARTICULATE PRESENCE AT THE NEGOTIATION SESSIONS. The discourse and wordage has thankfully demanded women’s inclusion, women as agents of change, women as determined players in this complex, divisive, power-driven, poverty insensitive, vested interest dominated, process that must make women’s issues, human rights, and climate justice fundamental in the Climate Change Negotiations & Outcome.
Извор: WUNRN – 28.12.2014
