As we commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day, whose theme is ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow,’ we highlight the need to consider the gendered impacts of climate change. While climate change is global, it affects women and men differently largely because of vulnerabilities resulting from socio-cultural norms. The role of women and gender is increasingly important and beneficial to strengthening the effectiveness of climate change measures.

This month our ‘top ten curated reads’ feature some of the studies and expert analyses on gender and climate change. In no particular order, we are pleased to share with you these resources:

1. Gender equality in climate policy and practice hindered by assumptions

This study highlights the common assumptions in gender and agricultural research. For instance, women are a homogenous and vulnerable group, and gender equality is a women’s issue. The study shows how these assumptions hinder progress on climate change and how they can even be counterproductive while also offering suggestions for a more informed pursuit of gender equality in climate change policy and practice.

2. Explainer: How gender inequality and climate change are interconnected

This article spotlights the different impacts of climate change, the linkages between women’s empowerment and effective global climate action, and the various solutions to involving women in climate action debate.

3. Addressing gender in agricultural research for development in the face of a changing climate: where are we and where should we be going?

This study reflects on the opportunities presented by equipping smallholders with the tools and knowledge of innovative gender-transformative practices and interventions at the nexus of gender, agricultural development, and climate change.

4. Progress in climate change adaptation and mitigation actions in sub-Saharan Africa farming system

In this paper review, six One Planet Laureate Candidates observe that implementing innovative adaptive farming systems and technologies has improved overall productivity in farming systems. However, there is still a pressing need to sustainably scale up climate-smart innovations by creating an enabling policy environment, building capacity, and conducting climate change-related research and outreach.

5. Opinion: Promoting gender and climate-smart investment

Read about the various lenses that stakeholders and change actors can apply to unlock more opportunities that accelerate gender equality in climate change, including investing in gender data and establishing blended finance structures.

6. Why women’s leadership is key to climate action

This article dives deep into the challenges arising from the underrepresentation of women in all levels of environmental decision making while spotlighting the gender-responsive policy measures that can help to overcome these systemic barriers and create solutions to the interlinked challenges of climate change

7. A review of gender inclusivity in agriculture and natural resources management under the changing climate in sub-Saharan Africa

Climate change presents the most complex challenges of our time, with women and men experiencing climate change differently. This paper review by One Planet Fellowship Laureates aims to review the status of gender inclusivity in agriculture and natural resources management in sub-Saharan Africa under the changing climate.

8. Understanding climate change through gender relations

This article presents a review of the collection of essays and short studies in two books. It brings to the forefront the fundamental importance of considering gender relations to understand the impact of climate change.

9. Tackling gender inequality is ‘crucial’ for climate adaptation

This study lays bare the evidence of various vulnerabilities that contribute to the impacts of climate change and how countries can adapt to the growing risks posed by climate change.

10. Implementation of gender-responsive climate action in the context of sustainable development: Report of UNFCC’s Expert Group Meeting

This report presents recommendations on promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women in climate policy and action; Gender mainstreaming in climate policy and action; Incorporating gender considerations in technology-related processes and mechanisms; and Incorporating gender considerations in climate finance.