Mitigating Climate Change

The ultimate objective of the Convention is the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. To this end, greenhouse gas emissions will have to be reduced massively, by at least 80 per cent in the next decades. Mitigation needs to particularly address the energy sector as the main source of the most important greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, including energy supply and energy use in all sectors. The reduction of emissions from deforestation is also a major issue in the negotiations.

Under the Convention (Article 4.1 b), all Parties are required to undertake efforts to mitigate climate change. Under the Kyoto Protocol, industrialised country Parties listed in Annex B have binding quantified emissions reduction targets. The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol lasts until 2012. Current negotiations therefore address mitigation through two possible channels –, firstly, through a potential second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, with targets to be defined, and secondly, under the Bali Action Plan towards a new post-2012 climate change agreement, which would include both commitments of industrialised countries and mitigation actions of developing countries.

Gender Dimension

Usually, analysis and debates on greenhouse gas emissions revolve around the North-South divide, based on national average per capita emissions, without looking at differentials in per capita emissions within countries. Although there is a lack of sex-disaggregated data and information, there is evidence – for instance, from studies on single-person households in Europe – that the sources and level of emissions of women and men differ substantially, independently of their age and income. This difference stems from factors such as car use and food preferences.

As for policies to mitigate climate change, the under-representation of women in planning, decision-making and implementation in relevant areas, such as energy and transport, is striking.  This could even be a factor for the tentative mitigation policies that can be observed, given that, according to various surveys, women tend to be more concerned about climate change and would prefer more ambitious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than men. Some polls indicate, for instance, that women are more likely to support policies and measures that would restrict the use of private motor vehicles.

Women, in their role as the main providers of family and community care, have different needs in terms of energy and mobility than most men. On the other hand, they can make specific contributions to mitigation, given their role as household and community managers.

Other differences that have been observed are:

• Women are more willing than men to change their behaviour in order to save energy and purchase low-carbon emitting products; however, they often know less about their own energy consumption and they reject measures that would burden them with extra work.
• Women and men have different preferences in terms of technologies to reduce greenhouse gases – a majority of women rejects risky technologies such as nuclear power and carbon capture and storage.
• A majority of women prefers to rely on lifestyle changes rather than on technological progress only.

Gendered impacts of climate policy are an issue that deserves more attention. As yet, research has hardly looked at these impacts systematically. However, there are indications that various policies and measures will affect women and men differently. As women, on average, have lower incomes than men, measures leading to higher energy prices for end users – such as carbon trading and carbon taxes – might affect women more strongly. Moreover, women and men might benefit differently from the positive effects of climate policy, for example from job creation in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors.

Recommendations

In order to be effective and just, mitigation responses must take gender differentials into account. First of all, the participation of women in decision-making must be improved at all levels. However, this does not necessarily guarantee that gender issues are addressed. As opposed to adaptation, there is extremely little awareness of the gender dimensions of mitigation, both among men and many women.

In order to address consumption as the root cause of greenhouse gas emissions, it is vitally important to learn more about gender differences in consumption and readiness to change behaviour.

Different needs, attitudes and priorities of women and men need to be taken into consideration in order to develop gender-sensitive policies and measures. As a consequence, mitigation strategies should not only rely on technologies and markets, but should rather include wide-ranging structural and lifestyle changes. In particular, energy poverty and lack of transport options need more attention. Moreover, the impacts of policies on women and men must be investigated, applying methods and tools such as Gender Impact Assessments.

Research on climate policy should look more into the social and gender dimensions of mitigation. More research needs to be done to close the data gap and improve knowledge about issues such as the gendered effects of various policy instruments, interventions to address poverty and affluence, and decision-making at household level.