Why gender in climate change?
Why is it important to integrate gender into the climate change policy? Women and men contribute differently to the causes of climate change, are differently affected by climate change, react differently to its impacts and, given the choice, favour different solutions to mitigate and options for dealing with the consequences of climate change. These differences are based on traditional gendered roles and responsibilities in most societies, and on gendered access to resources and political influence.
Both women and men are important actors in designing conscientious climate policies. Women are generally more sensitive to risks and more willing to change lifestyles, while men more strongly believe in technical solutions. Addressing gender aspects in climate change policy neither means to blame one part of the population nor to romanticize the other. It is about drawing on a larger pool of ideas. Ignoring one perspective would mean to lose out not only on ideas, visions and potential solutions, but also on support for ambitious climate policies.