Exposing gender gaps in financing climate change mitigation

This executive summary highlights the historical failure of climate change mitigation projects to integrate gender equality, arguing that treating women as victims rather than leaders reinforces inequalities. Based on case studies in Nepal, Mali, and Colombia, the report asserts that gender mainstreaming, socially disaggregated data, and gender-sensitive policies are essential for the efficacy, inclusivity, and long-term viability of both large-scale infrastructure and small-scale energy projects.

• Historically, climate change mitigation projects have largely ignored gender equality, often viewing women as victims rather than active leaders. This lack of attention can result in interventions that exacerbate existing gender inequalities and deepen the negative impacts of climate change on women.
• The report identifies several critical factors for improving the efficacy and inclusivity of climate mitigation projects: integrating gender issues from the start (gender mainstreaming), utilizing intentionally gathered socially disaggregated data, and ensuring gender-sensitive government and institutional policies.
• Integrating gender equality improves the impact of various project scales, from large-scale grid-based energy and transport infrastructure to small-scale off-grid initiatives. Furthermore, achieving economic and social co-benefits for both men and women is necessary for long-term viability and community support.
• The report analyzes three specific cases that received mitigation financing and addressed gender: the Nepal Biogas Support Program, Household Energy and Universal Rural Energy in Mali, and the TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit System in Bogotá, Colombia.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2015). Exposing gender gaps in financing climate change mitigation. https://cdkn.org/resource/exposing-gender-gaps-financing-mitigation

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Exposing gender gaps in financing climate change mitigation. 2015. https://cdkn.org/resource/exposing-gender-gaps-financing-mitigation.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Exposing gender gaps in financing climate change mitigation |date=5 June 2015 |url=https://cdkn.org/resource/exposing-gender-gaps-financing-mitigation |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2015exposing, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Exposing gender gaps in financing climate change mitigation}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2015}, month = jun, url = {https://cdkn.org/resource/exposing-gender-gaps-financing-mitigation}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }