– Cida Goncalves, Brazil’s Minister of Women
The National March of Indigenous Women in Brasília, Brazil, in early August. Indigenous women are seeking a place at negotiations at COP30, noting their essential role as guardians of biodiversity, their communities and the planet (Credit: Amanda Magnani)
As world leaders, climate negotiators, civil society, business and industry from around the world gather in Belem, Brazil for the UNFCC’s 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) from 10 – 21 November, we’re sharing some of the ways that the most important climate change conference can drive gender equality and climate justice for all.
Here’s what to watch for…
We know that women and gender-diverse people’s leadership, their expertise, knowledge and lived experience is crucial to shaping decisions and driving global climate solutions across all areas of the Action Agenda Priorities.
COP29 in Azerbaijan was roundly criticised for its absence of women’s leadership at all levels. Initially, Azerbaijan’s 28 member Organising Committee included 28 men and zero women! This year looks different with 13 women (out of 30) appointed by the COP President as Special Envoys including Jacinda Ardern as Special Envoy for Oceania and Janja Lula Da Silva as Special Envoy for Women.
Powerful women’s civil society groups will also be present, pushing for recognition and justice for their communities who are at the frontlines of climate change. In particular this COP will center Indigenous people with a new initiative called the Indigenous Peoples’ Circle to ensure their voices are heard in the climate negotiations.
Who is missing? World leaders attending the United Nations climate change conference (COP29) Baku Azerbaijan | 11-22 November 2024 (Credit: REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
There has been much work by civil society and governments in 2025 to develop a new Gender Action Plan (GAP). The GAP is expected to be adopted by parties at COP30. The objective of the Gender Action Plan is to embed gender considerations and women’s leadership into climate policy and action in the following ways:
A new Gender Action Plan with strong, ambitious actions and language can be an important tool for embedding a gender lens at a global level. It also acts as a driver and motivator for countries (such as Australia) to implement a Climate and Gender Action Plan at a national level. So far, no Global North country has implemented such a plan- perhaps Australia could be the first?!
Women’s movement joins the dialogue with civil society on the inclusion of gender equality on the COP30 agenda (Credit: Rogério Cassimiro/MMA)
With just transitions being a central theme of COP30, it will be crucial for a decision on the proposed Belem Action Mechanism for Just Transition to centre gender equitable policies, investments, women’s leadership and innovation.
A Mechanism, such as this, can ensure that the Just Transition Work Programme is operationalised in a way that links in with real communities and their lived realities, by providing assistance to countries and communities.
You can read more about COP30 with a feminist lens in this article from WEDO.
Here are some powerful individuals and pivotal voices to follow ahead of the summit:
