Synthesis of Statements on Climate Change

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights synthesizes the 2022 climate-related outputs of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It details the Committee's focus on disaster risk reduction, adaptation, and the specific rights of Indigenous women and girls in the face of climate change and extractive industries.

• In 2022, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was the committee that produced the most climate-related outputs during its State reporting process. The Committee issued climate-related questions or recommendations to 30 out of 49 States considered, with 23 of those 30 addressing developed countries.
• CEDAW's climate-related outputs consistently prioritized disaster risk reduction and adaptation over mitigation policies, which were only mentioned in nine outputs. The Committee emphasized the necessity of integrating gender perspectives into adaptation frameworks and increasing women's participation in policymaking and programs, specifically referencing General Recommendation No. 37 (2018).
• The Committee issued specific warnings regarding fossil fuel extraction in Uganda and Namibia. In Uganda, it called for an assessment of women affected by oil, gas, and mineral exploration and climate disasters. In Namibia, it expressed concern over the lack of information on how oil and gas policies account for the disproportionate impact of climate change on rural and indigenous women, specifically regarding exploration in the Kavango region.
• In October 2022, CEDAW adopted General Recommendation No. 39 (2022) on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls. This recommendation asserts that a safe and stable climate is part of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. It mandates that States obtain the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous women and girls before authorizing extractive, development, or climate mitigation and adaptation projects on their lands.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2023). Synthesis of Statements on Climate Change. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CEDAW-Synthesis-of-Statements-on-Climate-Change-2023.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Synthesis of Statements on Climate Change. 2023. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CEDAW-Synthesis-of-Statements-on-Climate-Change-2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Synthesis of Statements on Climate Change |date=2023 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CEDAW-Synthesis-of-Statements-on-Climate-Change-2023.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2023synthesis, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Synthesis of Statements on Climate Change}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2023}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CEDAW-Synthesis-of-Statements-on-Climate-Change-2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }