The Climate Change Commission, in collaboration with UN Women and ESCAP, conducts a two-day consultation on Harnessing the Power of Data to Inform a Gender-Climate Change Nexus.

MANILA, 26 July 2024 - The Climate Change Commission (CCC) partnered with the Economic and Social  Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) to promote gender empowerment in climate action to enhance women’s access to climate decision-making through a two-day consultation titled “Harnessing the Power of Data to Inform Gender-Climate Change Nexus.”
With women bearing the brunt of the impacts of climate change, the CCC is committed to promote women’s empowerment, particularly in ecological decision-making, to pursue climate-resilient communities. Mainstreaming women is not just to reduce the impacts of climate change in their lives, but to include them in crafting solutions to this global crisis.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has cited the disproportionate and differentiated impacts of climate change on women, highlighting the need for gender-responsive strategies in climate action.

For instance, women often face higher risks and burdens from climate impacts, as they make up a large percentage of the world's poor and are more dependent on threatened natural resources. They also have less access than men to resources, decision-making structures, technology, training and extension services that would enhance their capacity to adapt to climate change.

According to the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, 80 percent of people displaced by climate change are women, emphasizing the urgency of integrating gender considerations into climate policies.

During the consultations, several topics were discussed related to gender, such as the overview of national policies and plans that include climate-related content, identifying relevant gender and climate change indicators to support monitoring of national priorities, and prioritization exercise and next steps toward filling data gaps.

These aspects covered women’s issues in the mainstreaming of gender in policy formation, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation. This consultation aims to advance and support an inclusive approach in soliciting from women's perspectives and leveraging their unique skills. By doing so, it addresses the gap in recognizing the capability of women in decision-making.

Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, CCC's Vice Chairperson and Executive Director, stated, “This consultation has been a starting point for a comprehensive effort to fill the data gaps, provide technical-level elaboration, and pre-ground for possible indicators for the gender and climate nexus.”

Borje believes that through the significant work of the whole government and civil society organizations, the country can achieve a gender-centered and inclusive approach to climate action, ensuring that no one will be left behind.

Meanwhile, Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Women, underscored the importance of gender considerations in climate change and disaster risk reduction efforts.

“This allows us to develop targeted strategies that address the specific needs and capitalize on the strengths of different genders, thereby ensuring a more effective and equitable climate,“ she said.

CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera stated that “this national consultation establishes a clear roadmap for strengthening our gender-environment data ecosystem. This will prove to be invaluable in refining our existing plans and strategies, ensuring they are grounded in robust, gender-responsive data.“

She further underscored the critical role of gender in policymaking, monitoring progress, and creating climate solutions. This move will benefit all Filipinos – women, men, girls and boys –  helping them to have resilient communities and a sustainable future.

The national consultation brought together representatives from different government agencies and CSOs who are engaged in climate and gender-related work.
 
The CCC continues to partner with different stakeholders to enhance the central role of gender, recognizing the capacity and contributions of women in climate resilience and sustainability.

For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.