Bonn Conference: Group advocates women inclusion in climate change adaptation efforts

The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) is calling for inclusion of women in climate change adaptation efforts.

AGN Chair, Ephraim Mwepya Shitima, speaking at the opening plenary of the 58th Session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) in Bonn, Germany on Monday, said that integrating a gender perspective in adaptation activities is critical, particularly through the Global Goal for Adaptation (GGA).

He said that women are disproportionately impacted by the negative effects of climate change and can play a crucial role in adaptation efforts.

“It is also important to ensure that interventions respond to the gender-specific needs of women and girls, do not exacerbate inequalities, and contribute to empowering women as contained in the Gender Action Plan to drive change at all levels of the adaptation process,” said Shitima.

The African Group would like to adopt concrete targets for scaling up dedicated funding for gender and climate change, particularly the four priority areas agreed at COP27, alongside gender mainstreaming that requires finances to be committed for effective climate action.

The AGN also advocates the implementation of effective accountability and transparency of climate finance tracking gender-responsiveness funding.

“These measures would ensure women’s effective and meaningful participation at all levels of decision-making on climate change at the local, national, and global levels. Indigenous knowledge must be considered to build trust with the women and girls.

“Women’s chores within the household are immense and time-consuming; therefore, providing environmentally friendly and accessible technologies using, where possible affordable renewable energies,” said Shitima.

The Africa Group calls on all Parties to implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and reiterate the obligation under the Convention and the Paris Agreement that states developed countries should take the lead in the efforts to address climate change.

Africa has called for the genuine strengthening of the linkages between the Technology Mechanism and the financial mechanism of the UNFCCC in order to realise the implementation of technology-supported adaptation and mitigation actions in developing countries.

“We would like to realise positive progress with the SBI agenda on the said linkages to ensure that technology-supported climate action is enhanced,” said AGN Chair.