The connection between gender and climate change is widely acknowledged at national and UNFCCC levels, as well as the important role of cities for climate action. Yet, there is very little guidance for cities on how to develop and implement gender responsive policies for mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts. Moreover, gender approaches are often focusing on vulnerability and adaptation and do not cover mitigation. This guide aims to help urban practitioners and policy makers move beyond such a narrow view and understand the many ways in which gender and climate change intersect at a more granular level. It is also meant for civil society such as women’s, environmental and community-based organizations to assist them in understanding options for gender-responsive urban climate action and prepare policy recommendations for their city, based on a gender assessment.
The guide will provide a methodology for assessing the gendered impacts of policies and solutions for adaptation and mitigation, instances in which policy fails to consider gender, and how to advocate for gender-responsive policymaking to prevent the entrenchment of inequalities in the context of increased climate change and rather maximize social and gender benefits. The process, which involves several steps, can be used to identify gaps and highlight how existing and future policies can be made more effective and equitable by fully integrating gender dimensions into the planning, implementation and evaluation processes.
This booklet is a pragmatic resource. It provides an overview of the 'Gender Assessment and Monitoring of Mitigation and Adaptation' (GAMMA) methodology and a guide to its implementation. It includes case studies on each stage of GAMMA, practical tips on completion, and recommendations on how to use the findings to drive advocacy strategy for gender-responsive climate action. The booklet is structured so that you can use the guiding questions to complete your own gender assessment.