Climate change, adaptation and gender concernsApproaches and learnings from global and Indian experiences

ABSTRACT

Climate change is an existential challenge and its impacts are projected to increase in coming times. Adaptation becomes even more imperative more climate vulnerable developing countries. Literature establishes that climate change impacts women differently due to socio-economic factors such as rights, cultural norms, etc. and other intersectional demographic characteristics such as age and location. The COVID-19 pandemic has also differentially impacted women and girls. In the context of climate change, this chapter reviews, analyses and documents gender disproportional impacts due to climate change and how it has exacerbated in times of COVID-19 pandemic. This chapter presents the state of art of gender considerations in international climate agenda, and India’s national policies, projects and local initiatives. Using the primary information from four states of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab who are implementing gender concerns in climate change, this work provides useful approaches and insights into climate change planning through real case examples. While highlighting the importance of three-step approach to gender differentiated risk assessment, gender analysis and gender strategy, it discusses of implementing such approaches into capacity development for implementation of climate adaptation activities and in revision of current states’ action plans on climate change, which gains greater focus for any long term recovery that takes sustainability concerns into account. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.