On 8 June, Vera P. Weill-Halle, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, represented WOCAN in the Expert Workshop: Climate Finance of Mitigation and Gender Equality organized by Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), Global Gender and Climate Alliance (GGCA) and The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) during the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI38) Intercessional in Bonn, Germany. The objective of the workshop was to review case studies that make the case for mainstreaming gender equality into projects and programs financed for mitigation. WEDO and the GCGA are being supported by CDKN to choose and select 3-4 case studies for a publication to be released at the upcoming UNFCCC COP in November 2013.
Ana Rojas, Climate Change & Gender Expert, ENERGIA, presented the eight case studies and the workshop members reviewed each case in detail and narrowed the selection to 3 case studies with the intent to have the fourth case study to be determined later and be overview piece on sectors such as infrastructure, water management, etc. The expert group looked for a mix of case studies with regional and sectoral diversity to be assessed mainly via desk research. The project selected are established and implemented and have publicly available monitoring and reporting data that address gender considerations and climate benefits. The three case studies selected are: (i) Mali-Household Energy and Universal Rural Access (GEF/World Bank financed project); (ii) Nepal –National Biogas Support Programme (Implemented in 1992 and later secured CDM financing in 2009); (iii) Columbia – Tansmilenio Mass Transit rapid transit system in Bogota (CDM financing in 2000).
In making the case for inclusion of gender equality in mitigation finance the group considered various factors including women’s participation, decision-making and gender differentiations in mitigation. The group also considered the criteria for the selection of projects and raised a number of questions with regards to gender equality concerns and issues in projects financed for mitigation, Are the projects more sustainable? Do they have increased efficacy? Do the projects operate more efficiently? GGCA will provide a summary report on the workshop and include a timeline for the finalization of the publication. Experts will have opportunity to provide input throughout the process.