ABSTRACT

This chapter presents key concepts and linkages between gender and climate change, explaining how these links are relevant to adaptation and mitigation strategies such as REDD+. It discusses the main research findings, highlighting issues to be taken into account when implementing a gender-responsive action plan. The chapter explains a set of guidelines for gender-responsive climate change policy and planning processes based on the research findings. Climate change impacts disproportionately affect poor, rural and indigenous women in non-industrialized countries and yet they are less able to cope and recover than men. REDD+ has the potential to simultaneously contribute to climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation, while also conserving biodiversity and sustaining vital ecosystem services. Climate change effects are principally higher temperatures in the climate system, including air and ocean temperatures, and an increase in the intensity and frequency of natural disasters, such as flooding or hurricanes that threaten rural and urban ecosystems.