Guys in Glasgow
Men talk the most and have the most seats around the table when the world has to solve the climate crisis.
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Bianca Moldovean
European Affairs Consultant, Romania. UNFCCC Bureau Vice President, 2019-2021 The thing that fascinated Bianca the most about the climate change negotiations as an undergraduate student in International Relations was the challenge of securing mutually beneficial outcomes out of a process where the balance of power was always skewed, and where the Parties, all in different stages of development, have different starting points and interests. Following a brief detour to start up an event management company, she joined the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests in Romania as a climate change consultant, and soon found herself participating in the internal EU negotiations on climate change. She then left the Ministry and consulted for organizations like the World Bank and World Wildlife Fund for five years, assessing the effectiveness of development aid provided and received. “This was a different but very useful perspective, of how things actually function on the ground.” In… Read More »Bianca Moldovean
The Women Climate Leaders Network at COP26 in Glasgow
The first meeting of the Women Climate Leaders Network took place on 7 November during the dinner, on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow. It was organized by the European Capacity Building Initiative (ECBI), with support from the UK Presidency. Two days later, a similar storytelling and experience sharing session among women took place at a side event, which was supported by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Government of Belgium, the Government of the Netherlands (together known as BENELUX) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
We need more female leaders in the fight against climate change
Women are still underrepresented in climate change negotiations, as shown in a UNFCCC secretariat report presented at Cop26. As well as finding that women remain in the minority and are less likely to lead a government delegation, it also analysed speaking times at selected Cop25 meetings to provide insights on active participation. It found that “men were overrepresented in terms of presence and tended to speak more than women”.
Women and feminist groups demand gender equality and inclusion of diverse voices at COP26
Despite the recognition of distinct vulnerability of women and girls to climate change, women who are at the forefront of climate change, especially the women from climate-vulnerable countries and indigenous women were not present at the decision-making levels of COP26. Climate activists have claimed that COP26 is one of the most exclusionary climate conferences.
Sharing experiences: Women in leadership in the UNFCCC
9 November 2021. The UNFCCC Women Climate Leaders Network, launched by the Chilean Presidency at COP25 in Madrid, organised a side event at COP26 on Gender Day. Participants and audience members shared experiences. The Network provides opportunities for women negotiators holding leadership positions in the UNFCCC process to meet and exchange knowledge and experiences; support each other; and work with other women negotiators in the process to achieve gender balance in the leadership, and overall composition, of UNFCCC bodies. The side event was supported by the UK Presidency; and by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Government of Belgium, the Government of the Netherlands (together known as BENELUX) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) kindly made their pavilion at COP26 available for the side event. “Data has shown that gender sensitive policies will likely happen only when women can participate in decision-making processes, which is why having… Read More »Sharing experiences: Women in leadership in the UNFCCC
Network dinner at COP26
Once dinner was out of the way, the tables were pulled together, and the members of the Women Climate Leaders Network gathered around for a storytelling session.
Bold, new commitments from around the world to put gender equality at the forefront of climate action at COP26
Countries and non-state actors have come forward with new commitments and initiatives that will strengthen the resilience of women and girls in the face of climate-related impacts, while empowering them within climate action, at today’s COP26 Gender Day in Glasgow.
Reception at COP26
The Network contributed to the Gender Day Reception hosted at the UK Pavilion on 9 November 2021 at COP26. The event included a discussion session hosted by FCDO Minister Wendy Morton, and contributions from Network members, including SBI Chair Marianne Karlsen (Norway), and for SBSTA rapporteur Stella Gama (Malawi).
Where are all the women at COP26?
The climate crisis is a triple injustice for the poorest women and girls, and requires a triple commitment from world leaders at COP26 on “gender day” today.