UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) side event: Gender-responsive climate financing for a just transition

Date and time: 4 December 2023, 14:30-15:30 Dubai local time (GMT+4)

During the twenty eighth session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Government of the Philippines will co-convene a panel discussion on “Gender-responsive climate financing for a just transition” on 4 December 2023.

Context:

Globally, Asia-Pacific stands as the most populous and disaster-prone region while also accounting for the highest share of greenhouse gas emissions. The impacts of climate change in the region are magnified for vulnerable communities such as women, exacerbating the pre-existing inequalities. Despite these challenges, the region’s extensive renewable energy potential offers a hopeful path towards a gender-responsive and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.

However, challenges persist in the just transition due to limited access to climate finance, inadequate financing mechanisms and unequal gender power dynamics. Collaborative efforts between governments, financial institutions, civil society organisations and grassroots communities is essential to overcome these barriers and promote gender-responsive financing for a just transition.

This session intends to highlight innovative approaches that integrate gender-responsive climate financing for a just transition and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of gender-responsive financing, aiming to foster collaboration among stakeholders. It expects to serve as a platform to facilitate cross-country experience sharing and identify entry points to ensure the voices of the most marginalized groups are integrated into policy, programming and leadership.

The key messages from the event will be instrumental to inform the implementation of EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies programme, a joint initiative of UN Women and UNEP to strengthen gender-responsive and right-based climate action in the Asia-Pacific region.

Format:

• An in-person moderated panel discussion
• The event will be streamed live here.

Speakers:

• Opening remarks by H.E. Hon Lynda Diseru Tabuya, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Fiji
• Case study presentation by Rachel Anne Herrara, Commissioner, Climate Change Commission, Philippines
• Closing remarks

Panelists:

• Chu Thi Thanh Huong, UNFCCC National Gender and Climate Change Focal Point, Viet Nam
• Vichet Ratha Khlok, UNFCCC National Gender and Climate Change Focal point, Cambodia
• Toni Dominique Madulid, Executive Director, Reboot Philippines Renewable Energy Transition Institute

Moderator:

• Amy Reggers, Programme Specialist, Gender and Climate Change, UN Women