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Gender and climate declaration
The Nordic Summit on Climate, Gender and Equality issued a call to incorporate a gender perspective into the new UN climate agreement and to involve both men and women in solving climate problems
Climate change does not have the same impact on us all. The effects on men and women are different in both the West and in developing countries. For example, 70-80% of victims of the 2004 tsunami were women.
Men and women also have different impacts upon the environment, e.g. through different patterns of consumption. Men are more likely to drive than women, while women are morel likely to opt for public transport. In this light, it is important to incorporate the gender perspective into the new climate agreement to be negotiated in Copenhagen in December, concluded the Nordic Summit in Copenhagen on 2 February.
The Nordic Council of Ministers and the ministers responsible for gender equality invited delegates from throughout the Region to draw up specific recommendations for improving global efforts to tackle climate problems by including a gender-equality perspective. The Summit generated 15 proposals covering everything from reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases, to adaptation to higher temperatures, investments and technology.
The summit declaration calls upon politicians, organisations and individuals of both genders to assume responsibility for creating a more equal and sustainable society.Women must be involved in decision making. Men and women experience the world differently, and must both be given equal responsibility for developing the society of the future. The summit proposes Nordic quotas to pave the way for more women in top management posts and on company boards.
The declaration also highlights the importance of applying the local knowledge, experiences and needs of both genders to important decision-making processes.
The summit is part of Nordic input into UN climate work. It was designed to generate debate about equality and climate change in Nordic societies in general, as well as in the companies and organisations represented by the 45 delegates.
The declaration will be presented to the UN Women's Commission Session in New York on 5 March as part of efforts to promote Nordic core values in international forums.
The summit was organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Danish Ministry of Gender Equality.
