Gender Equality in Climate Action Remains Elusive at COP29

The recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) centered on climate finance, yet its outcomes left significant gaps. While the “Baku Climate Unity Pact” pledged $300 billion annually by 2035 to assist developing nations—a tripling of the 2009 target—this commitment falls short of the estimated $1.3 trillion needed each year. Though progress, it’s only a starting point.

The real battle at COP29 revolved around women’s role in climate finance. Women are disproportionately affected by climate change, being 14 times more likely to die in climate-related disasters and comprising 80% of those displaced by extreme weather. Despite this, the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance barely mentions women, underscoring systemic inequalities in education, economic access, and decision-making.

Though COP29 achieved the highest gender balance in registrations, women made up just 35% of delegates. Only eight of the 78 attending world leaders were women, and few addressed gender-specific issues. Research shows climate initiatives inclusive of women yield better outcomes, yet just $0.20 of every $100 in global climate finance supports women, with only 0.01% addressing both climate action and women’s rights.

Some steps were made, such as extending the Lima Work Program on Gender and introducing 27 gender-specific provisions in the final text, but structural support remains insufficient. Intersectional issues like gender gaps in STEM training and green jobs were excluded from the final document. Simplified access for grassroots women’s organizations was encouraged, but without the structural momentum for large-scale implementation.

For COP29’s commitments to translate into action, clear international guidelines, measurable targets, and robust tracking systems are essential. Financing local initiatives, especially in informal settlements, where women often lead climate efforts, should be prioritized. National policies must also integrate meaningful gender-specific programs; fewer than 26% of countries do so in their long-term strategies.

As COP30 approaches, aligning gender equality with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals is crucial. Climate change solutions must address gender disparities to break cycles of vulnerability. Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, it’s time for another leap forward, integrating women’s rights into the fight against climate change.