This ODI working paper examines the positions that blocs and countries have taken on gender equality within the UNFCCC process from 2022 to 2025, supported by observations of negotiations on just transition and on gender at the thirtieth Conference of the Parties (COP30) held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. Understanding which alliances champion climate action and gender equality in this space and which are backsliding on agreed language may help progressive actors navigate the changing multilateral landscape.
Our review points to actors who could strengthen broad coalitions of the willing to progress gender equality and climate action. In the UNFCCC negotiations, the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) and the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group intervened to further the need for gender-responsive climate finance. Expanding broad and well-informed coalitions will be critical to counter pushback in multilateral institutions, and to support and build on the work of feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) already driving the agenda on gender-responsive climate action.
Citation:
Craft, B. and Khosravi, D. with Browne, E. and Cano Prentice, A. (2026) Gender equality and the climate crisis: champions and backsliders. ODI Global Working Paper. London: ODI Global (https://odi.org/en/publications/gender-equality-and-the-climate-crisis-champions-and-backsliders/)
