Cosgrave, E; Lam, T; Marcon, S; (2019) Women4Climate Report: Gender Inclusive Climate Action in Cities. C40 Cities: London, UK.

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Abstract

In recent years, a small number of extraordinary women have emerged as key leaders on global action to tackle climate change. However, more generally, women are grossly under-represented in high-level climate negotiations; tend to be disproportionately vulnerable to climate impacts; and climate solutions tend to ignore gender-specific issues, perpetuating a general bias of infrastructure and services designed predominantly for men. This report sets out proposals for how to correct these imbalances and, through focusing on an inclusive climate action approach, to ensure that investment to cut emissions and improve resilience will benefit the full diversity of urban citizens, rich and poor, men and women. Gender is an important factor that influences peoples lived experiences within a city, as well as their vulnerability to, and ability to mitigate, climate impacts. The design and planning of transport systems in cities provides an excellent example. Bus and metro networks tend to prioritise routes that bring commuters from the suburbs and outer boroughs into the city centre. These routes are assumed to offer the greatest economic benefit to the city, and they are statistically more likely to be used by men, travelling to and from workplaces. Yet research shows that the majority of journeys on public transport in cities are made by women, taking shorter trips, with multiple stops and at different times of the day to the traditional commuter hours. Women’s journeys are often more encumbered, for example with pushchairs or small children; women also face more safety concerns on public transport, which are often factors in their decision-making about what modes to use, and when. Women’s organisations and grass roots activism have played critical roles in increasing women’s representation in, and elevating gender issues at, international climate negotiations, as well as empowering women, building capacity, raising awareness and mobilising collective action. However, these activities are often undervalued in discussions about how cities can deliver on what the science says we need and avoid catastrophic climate change.

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