Gender and Climate Change, Analysis in Various Red Cross Intervention Countries

Gender inequality and climate change are two major challenges currently confronting the human species. This collaborative project between the Red Cross in Catalonia in collaboration with the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation and the Center for Climate Change (C3) at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Spain, presents a comprehensive summary of the analysis of climate change impacts in diverse intervention countries. The study offers a global perspective on climate change trends, focusing on temperature variations, greenhouse gas concentrations, oceanic changes, cryosphere dynamics, precipitation patterns and, extreme climatic events.

Moving from the global to the regional scale, the report highlights the specific impacts on ecosystems, food systems, hydrological systems, sea levels, and public health. Special attention is given to localized effects in Catalonia, such as wildfires, floods, and water resource challenges.

 The project then explores the nuanced intersection of gender and climate change, emphasizing differentiated impacts and vulnerabilities across demographic groups. An analysis of climate vulnerability evolution with a gender lens includes an examination of international, national, and regional policies and reports.

 Differentiated gender impacts are illustrated through case studies in Guatemala, Colombia, Sahara (Africa), Mozambique (Africa), Afghanistan (Asia), and Iran (Asia). Each case study provides insights into the general context, the intersection of climate change and gender, energy poverty challenges, and the governance and participation of women in climate-related initiatives.

 To ground the analysis in empirical data, the study incorporates an in-depth analysis of the "En Moviment" program's data, covering socio-demographic aspects, climate change perceptions, governance structures, extreme weather events, and access to energy. The abstract concludes with comprehensive insights and recommendations, offering a nuanced understanding of the gendered dimensions of climate change impacts and responses in diverse geographical contexts, suitable for presentation at a congress.

The study delves into the intricate relationship between climate change and gender inequality, underscoring their global significance. The research emphasizes the urgent need for an interdisciplinary approach, exploring how human-induced climate change has escalated atmospheric CO2 levels, altered temperature patterns, and impacted ecosystems. Women, constituting the majority in vulnerable populations, face disproportionate vulnerabilities, exacerbated by gender-based disparities in decision-making, access to resources, and climate-induced poverty. Specific case studies in Catalonia and diverse global regions reveal nuanced gendered impacts, highlighting the crucial role of women in adaptation and mitigation efforts. The study concludes that addressing climate change requires a profound understanding of gender dynamics, advocating for inclusive responses that prioritize gender equality as a cornerstone for building a sustainable and just future.