Gendered Causes: Carbon Emissions
A gendered analysis of emissions reveals the fact that energy consumption in the developed world is a function of gendered roles, responsibilities and identities.
In Sweden for example, one of the worldwide top ranked countries for gender equality, the energy consumption of male single-person-households is 22% higher than in female single-person-households. This is true for all age and income groups. This difference is primarily the result of the use of transport systems, in particular the size of cars and their intensity of use, and of food (in particular meat) consumption.
Comparable data from developing countries is lacking, but it is evident that women, especially in rural areas, lack access to clean and affordable energy and to transport systems. To meet their energy needs, these women rely heavily on biomass. Therefore, environmental degradation caused by climate change often increases the time spent providing household energy.
On the other hand, lacking access to efficient household technologies, in particular efficient and clean cooking stoves, may lead to increased emissions, impacting health as well as climate.