ENERGIA, UNIDO and GWNET, together with strategic partners and members of the Gender and Energy Compact, will discuss the important role of women and of gender-transformative policies in building a climate-just energy future at the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP27) to be held from 6 to 18 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The lead organisations will examine the interlinkages between gender equality (SDG5) and universal energy access (SDG7) with other SDGs, including climate action (SDG13), health (SDG3), food security (SDG2), and clean water and sanitation (SDG6), and a key issues that hinders the full participation of women and youth in the climate and energy transition, namely financing mechanisms.

We need action at all levels

Sustainable energy plays an important role for climate change mitigation. However, it can also play a key role in adaptation, in reducing climate vulnerability of women and therefore fostering gender equality and women’s empowerment for a just transition. Decentralized renewable energy and clean technologies can not only create income opportunities for women and enhance their adaptability, but give multiple options to adapt to climate change and thereby reduce vulnerability of women.

The gender dimensions of the water-energy-food nexus will be discussed during the event “The role of gender equality for a just, sustainable and climate resilient energy transition” organised by UNIDO jointly with FAO, WFP, UN Women. The session will feature women leaders and representatives from programs and initiatives such as the Gender and Energy Compact that foster a gender-transformative approach in climate action. This event will explore the nexus dimensions of gender equality, climate change mitigation and adaptation, food, and agriculture and discuss why we need to include women at all levels: as sustainable farmers, as entrepreneurs, as policy makers, and as global and equal partners for climate action.

Where is the money for a gender-just energy transition?

Inequalities demand urgent, bold responses, and can only be successful if accompanied by adequate financial resources. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to climate change and suffer from energy poverty, but they are also key agents of change with the capacity of bringing in innovative, bold solutions for climate action. Gender equality and women’s empowerment need to be supported at all levels: women entrepreneurs, women’s access to energy at the last mile, women in the workforce, as well as gender responsive energy/climate policies and gender-balance in decision making processes.

Despite the wide recognition that supporting gender equality contributes to sustainable energy for all and vice versa, gender-smart climate finance for a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition lacks behind. This was a major finding in Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2020, produced by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), that found that financing for energy projects with a specific gender equality objective remains a small share (2-11 percent) of total official development assistance (ODA) to the energy sector. Finance for energy projects with a gender equality objective is also highly concentrated amongst a few donors — 93 percent of total finance reported is from only 10 government agencies. Key reason for this is financial mechanisms tend to be gender-blind, and fail to include the needs and rights of the majority of poor and excluded women living on the frontlines of climate change and energy poverty, with unmet development needs and the burdens of whole communities on their backs.

This session will discuss critical questions, such as how can money reach women in last mile communities? Where is the money for gender-equality and women’s rights? What kind of interventions and innovations is the Energy Action Compact Network, which has mobilized USD 600 billion to enable action on SDG7, supporting?