Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action

Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action

We are proud that our Executive Director, Ignacio Packer, is one the signatories of the Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action which was officially endorsed in Geneva on 7 November 2024. The event was organised by the Permanent Missions of Germany and Costa Rica, IFRC and SHE Builds Bridges, in partnership with the International Gender Champions (IGC) Secretariat, inviting all Geneva-based decision-makers to join the official launch of the Geneva Pledge. 

Ignacio's signing of the Pledge is a logical next step, following his commitment in January 2024 to become a International Gender Champion. The International Gender Champions (IGC) Network counts over 333 decision-makers at the highest levels from international organisations, permanent missions and embassies, civil society organisations and the private sector, united by a commitment to break down gender barriers and make gender equality a working reality in their spheres of influence.

Background

The unfolding climate crisis poses an immediate threat to our planet and its people. It disrupts ecosystems and jeopardizes livelihoods across the globe. While climate change itself is indiscriminate, the social structures within which it unfolds are not: The climate crisis deepens existing inequalities, disproportionately impacting women, girls, and those in vulnerable and marginalised situations by threatening their livelihoods and restricting access to essential services, food, water, and energy.

Despite their vital role as leaders, experts and change agents, these groups often remain underrepresented in decision-making, have limited resource access and face discriminatory laws and norms that hinder their full, equal, meaningful, effective and safe participation in climate decision-making and action.

To champion gender equality in climate action, the International Gender Champions’ (IGC) ClimateGender Impact Group was launched in February 2024. Under the leadership of its four Co-Chairs, Elise Buckle, President/ CEO of Climate Bridges and Founder of SHE Builds Bridges, Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Ambassador Christian Guillermet Fernández, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Costa Rica, and Ambassador Dr. Katharina Stasch, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, the group works towards the following strategic objectives:

• Representation: Fostering an intersectional approach to climate action by promoting equitable, diverse, meaningful and safe representation in policy- and decision-making bodies. 
• Synergies: Strengthening a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to addressing the Climate-Gender Nexus that emphasizes the importance of responsive, integrated strategies and ‘connects the dots’ between gender, climate and different policy areas in Geneva. 
• Climate finance and gender-responsive budgeting: promoting effective resource allocation towards gender-responsive climate solutions, localised action and an empowered feminist civil society

One of the Impact Group’s key objectives for 2024 was the development of a Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action. 

The Pledge

The Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action establishes common principles for gender-responsive climate decision-making and action. The pledge is the result of extensive discussions, thorough consideration of diverse contributions, and consensus-oriented decision-making and is rooted in the recognition that the climate crisis poses a significant and urgent threat to our planet and its people, with disproportionate impacts on women, girls, and those in vulnerable and marginalised situations. Signatories commit to applying the Pledge through personal and institutional actions within their sphere of influence and in alignment with relevant global frameworks and agreements

The event in Geneva on 7 November 2024 provided an opportunity to publicly endorse the shared principles outlined in the pledge, aiming to: 

1. Raise awareness on the importance of addressing the Climate-Gender Nexus in the multilateral sphere; 
2. Spotlight leaders’ commitment towards championing gender-responsive climate action via a high-visibility, public event; 
3. Highlight the importance of fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and de-siloing work streams for effective collaboration; 
4. Build momentum for gender-responsive climate action in the lead-up to COP29.

The Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action acknowledges the common and individual responsibility of leaders and decision-makers to affect change and lead by example.

By leveraging their collective influence and reach for gender-responsive climate action, decision-makers on all levels of society can address these inequalities and elevate the leadership of women, girls, and underrepresented communities in building a sustainable and inclusive future for all.

Read and download the Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action