The climate crisis is not gender neutral 

The climate crisis refers to the significant and long-term changes in the Earth's climate patterns, primarily attributed to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices. These activities release greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) into the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.

Key Aspects of the Climate Crisis

•  The increase in Earth's average surface temperature is due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases, leading to a range of environmental impacts.
• Changes in weather patterns result in more frequent and severe events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires, causing devastating impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human lives.
• Melting ice caps and glaciers, along with thermal expansion of seawater, contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities, biodiversity, and infrastructure.
• Climate change exacerbates habitat loss, alters ecosystems, and disrupts species' life cycles, leading to a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Changes in precipitation patterns and temperatures affect agricultural productivity, water availability, and food distribution, leading to food shortages, malnutrition, and conflicts over resources.
• Climate change contributes to the spread of vector-borne diseases, heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems due to air pollution, and mental health issues stemming from displacement and loss.
• Vulnerable communities, including low-income populations, indigenous peoples, women, and children, bear the brunt of climate change impacts, exacerbating existing inequalities.

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies:

• Mitigation involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitioning to renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, sustainable land use practices, and carbon capture and storage.
• Adaptation focuses on building resilience to climate change impacts by implementing measures such as improving infrastructure, enhancing disaster preparedness, conserving natural resources, and promoting community-based adaptation initiatives.

International Agreements

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Countries commit to nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions and enhance resilience.

2. Gender Neutrality

Gender neutrality refers to the principle or practice of avoiding distinctions of gender or treating people of different genders equally and without bias. It aims to create an inclusive environment where individuals are not discriminated against or disadvantaged based on their gender identity or expression.

Key Aspects of Gender Neutrality

• Gender-neutral language avoids assumptions about gender and uses terms that are inclusive of all genders. For example, using "they/them" pronouns instead of "he/she" or using gender-neutral job titles like "firefighter" instead of "fireman."
• Encourages freedom of expression in clothing and appearance choices, allowing individuals to dress and present themselves in a way that aligns with their identity, regardless of gender norms or stereotypes.
• Promotes access to a wide range of toys, activities, and interests regardless of gender stereotypes. Encourages children to explore and develop their talents and interests without limitations based on traditional gender roles.
•  Advocates for gender-neutral policies and practices in educational institutions and workplaces to ensure equal opportunities and treatment for all individuals, regardless of gender identity or expression.
• Supports the creation of inclusive public spaces, facilities, and services that accommodate the needs of diverse gender identities, such as gender-neutral restrooms and changing facilities.
• Calls for the development and implementation of laws and policies that protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of gender, and address discrimination and inequality based on gender identity or expression.

3. Impact of Climate Crisis on Women and Girls

• Agriculture serves as the primary livelihood source for women in India, particularly in rural areas.
• Climate-induced reductions in crop yields exacerbate food insecurity, disproportionately affecting poor households that already endure higher rates of malnutrition.
• Within households with small and marginal landholdings, men may face social stigma due to unpaid loans, often leading to migration, emotional distress, and even suicide.
• On the other hand, women experience heavier domestic workloads, poorer health outcomes, and increased incidents of intimate partner violence.
• National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4 and 5 data reveal that women residing in drought-prone districts, compared to those in districts without recent droughts, are more likely to be underweight, suffer from intimate partner violence, and have higher rates of early marriages for girls.
• For women, the compounding effects of heightened food and nutritional insecurity, increased workloads, and income uncertainties not only result in deteriorating physical health but also significantly impact mental health and emotional well-being.

4. Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Gender-Based Violence

The rise in extreme weather events and climate-induced natural disasters is a global phenomenon, with 75% of Indian districts identified as vulnerable to hydromet disasters like floods, droughts, and cyclones, as per a 2021 report by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW). NFHS 5 data highlights that over half of women and children residing in these districts are at risk. Research increasingly indicates a direct link between such natural disasters and gender-based violence against women. Additionally, the disruption in water cycle patterns following extreme weather events severely affects access to safe drinking water, escalating women's workload and reducing their time for productive work and healthcare.

Health Risks for Women Due to Climate Change

The past decade has witnessed record-breaking temperatures globally, with India projected to face unprecedented heatwaves. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat poses particular risks for pregnant women, increasing the likelihood of preterm birth and eclampsia, as well as for young children and the elderly. Moreover, exposure to air pollutants, both indoors and outdoors, negatively impacts women's health, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, prenatal exposure to pollutants can impair the physical and cognitive growth of unborn children, particularly affecting the developing brain. Recent cohort studies in India reveal alarming statistics, indicating a correlation between increased levels of PM2.5 and elevated risks of lung cancer, cardiovascular deaths, stroke, and dementia.

Intersectionality and Vulnerability

It's important to recognize that not all women face equal risks, even within the same geographic or agro-ecological zone. While climate change undeniably exhibits a gender dimension, there's a pressing need for further evidence on intersectionalities that render certain subgroups more vulnerable, necessitating enhanced protection measures.

5. The Role of Women in Climate Action

Achieving the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, requires the active participation of 100% of the population, including women. Empowering women not only ensures inclusivity but also leads to more effective climate solutions. Studies have shown that when women are provided with equal access to resources, they can significantly enhance agricultural yields by 20% to 30%. Particularly, tribal and rural women have demonstrated remarkable leadership in environmental conservation efforts.

Empowering Women for Local Solutions

Providing women and women collectives, such as Self-help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations, with knowledge, tools, and access to resources is essential for fostering the emergence of local climate solutions. Women's involvement in decision-making processes can lead to the development of adaptation measures tailored to the specific needs of rural and urban areas. Given that exposure to heat, air pollution, and access to water and food vary across different contexts, empowering women to take action ensures that adaptation strategies are responsive to local realities.

6. Addressing Heatwaves and Water Shortages

Immediate Action on Heatwaves

To mitigate the impact of prolonged heat on vulnerable groups such as outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants, children, and the elderly, urgent measures are imperative. Urban local bodies, municipal corporations, and district authorities in vulnerable districts must develop comprehensive plans and provide training and resources to key implementers. These actions include:

• Heat Wave Management: Implementing heat wave warnings based on local temperature and humidity, adjusting outdoor work and school timings, establishing cooling rooms in health facilities, providing public drinking water facilities, and ensuring immediate treatment for individuals with heat stroke are critical to minimizing heat-related deaths.
• Urban Planning: Enhancing tree cover, reducing concrete usage, increasing green-blue spaces, and designing heat-resilient housing are essential long-term strategies to combat heat waves. Initiatives like the Mahila Housing Trust in Udaipur, which demonstrated the efficacy of painting low-income house roofs with reflective white paint, can significantly reduce indoor temperatures and enhance quality of life.

Addressing Water Shortages

Water scarcity poses a significant threat to human existence and requires collective societal action. India's traditional rainwater harvesting and storage systems, comprising ponds and canals, need revitalization. Measures undertaken by organizations like the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Tamil Nadu demonstrate effective approaches to improving water access:

• Geospatial Mapping: Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) to map key water sources, identify vulnerabilities, and assess climate hazards enables panchayats to develop localised water access improvement plans.
• Community-Led Planning: Local plans, developed with community participation, can direct government schemes and resources toward sustainable water management initiatives. By leveraging technology and community involvement, regions can enhance resilience to water scarcity and ensure sustainable access to this vital resource.

Empowering Local Governance

Effective convergence of sectors and services, along with prioritisation of actions, is most feasible at the village or panchayat levels. Devolving powers and finances and investing in building the capacity of panchayat and Self-Help Group (SHG) members can exemplify India's approach to fostering resilience in a community-led and participatory manner.

Gender-Responsive Climate Action

Applying a gender lens to all state action plans on climate change is imperative. While initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) acknowledge the impacts on women, they often portray them solely as victims, overlooking deeper gender dynamics. A review of 28 SAPCCs revealed a lack of transformative approaches, with only a few recognizing women as agents of change.

Recommendations for SAPCC Revision

• SAPCCs should move beyond portraying women solely as victims and recognise their diverse roles and contributions to climate action.
• Gender-transformative strategies should address the vulnerabilities of all genders, ensuring inclusivity and equity.
• SAPCC revisions should prioritize gender-transformative strategies to ensure a comprehensive and equitable approach to climate adaptation.
• Rather than being labelled solely as victims, women should be empowered to lead climate action initiatives, leveraging their unique perspectives and capacities.