Climate change education, training, public awareness and participation

“National strategies for addressing climate change can only succeed with the full engagement of the general public and important interest groups“. The UNFCCC, in its Article 6, requires all Parties to the Convention to communicate effects and dynamics of climate change at all levels. Parties are called upon to develop and implement public awareness programmes, provide public access to information, initiate participatory processes to develop responses to climate change, train relevant staff on climate change and cooperate at the international level. The Kyoto Protocol underlines the importance of public awareness and public access to information on climate change in Article 10.

During negotiations, these issues do not raise much awareness, since they are not as controversial as other items on the agenda. At COP 8 in New–Delhi, a five-year work programme was adopted which has been amended and extended to another five years. Amendments include minor additions on public access to information and public participation. Gender is not mentioned in the programme. Among others, Parties are expected to draw up national action plans, set up national focal points, and report about their activities. A review of the work programme will be undertaken in 2012, and an intermediate review of progress is underway.

A number of regional workshops to assess needs, identify priorities and share experience have been carried out. In the reports, there is some reference to gender, in particular in the report on the European workshop in 2009, thanks to inputs from GenderCC.

The UNFCCC Secretariat has set up the Climate Change Information Network, an Internet based service to exchange information on the elements of Article 6. Climate change negotiators and practitioners can apply for membership online to get the opportunity to share their own resources and campaigns.

Gender Dimension

Women and men communicate differently, prefer different communication channels and respond differently, due to gendered social roles, identities, attitudes and skills, and interlinked with culture. No form of communication is gender "neutral"; if gender differences are neglected, this may lead to the exclusion of women from communication processes or at the very least, result in less effective communication. As communication is key to awareness raising, access to information and participation, education and training, its gender dimension is relevant for all areas covered by the New Delhi work programme on Article 6 of the Convention.

Differences in education must also be taken into consideration. Illiteracy is still common in the developing world, and in some countries, illiteracy of women is double that of men. In some of the least developed countries, 80 per cent of women are illiterate. These women are likely to be among the most vulnerable groups, as they are among the poorest. They are therefore the most important target group for information on expected climate variability and adaptation strategies.

Moreover, the need for information may differ for women and men. For instance, according to various European polls, women show a stronger demand for practical information on how to combat climate change, and the gap between knowledge and implementation is smaller for women than for men. However, communication on behavioural changes should not only address women. Men also need specific information and specific approaches, e.g. to motivate them to use less carbon intensive modes of transport (e.g. switching from individual cars to public transport), as car use patterns are closely linked to lifestyle and self-image.

Thus, gender differences play a role in all aspects of communication – content, communication modes and channels, and way and form of communication.

Participation includes formal representation, taking part in political processes and in participatory processes at community level, for instance in development projects. Women are usually underrepresented at all levels, for example the share of female delegates in the UNFCCC process has been less than 30 per cent, and the share of female parliamentarians at national levels remains 22 per cent. Even with participatory approaches at community levels, women are generally excluded from male-dominated discourses.

Recommendations

Gender sensitive communication is important in order to reach out effectively to both women and men. It takes their different roles, attitudes, preferences, and skills into account and contributes to overcoming gender roles and their limitations. This is why the communication and learning processes mentioned in Article 6 of the UNFCCC require awareness of gender and diversity issues. Gender, and other social differences and their consequences should be included throughout all steps of planning and implementation.

In order to communicate in a gender sensitive way, awareness of 'gender' as a social category is essential. Gender differences should be considered without reproducing and further cementing stereotypes. Gender sensitive communication is based on the idea of gender justice and is geared toward generating and promoting equal opportunities.

Gender sensitive communication includes the contents and topics that are communicated, the use of appropriate media and communication channels, gender sensitive and inclusive language, and design and visual elements. Moreover, gender stereotypes must be avoided, e.g. it can be helpful to show women and men beyond their usual roles.

As for public participation, equal participation of women and men needs to be ensured; not only in terms of proportional representation, but also in terms of how, and to what degree, women and men can meaningfully participate; for example which questions are raised and how they are explained, and how women and men can contribute to the discourse.