Gender Integration for Climate Action: A Review of Commonwealth Member Country Nationally Determined Contributions

This report, updated from the first edition published in 2021, presents a macro-level overview of the extent of gender integration in Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), and new or revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by Commonwealth member countries submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the 2021 revision cycle. Since the first edition of this report was published, a further 27 updated NDCs have been submitted, and Gabon and Togo have joined as Commonwealth member countries, bringing the total updated NDCs submitted to 47 of the 56 member countries.

The Earth’s climate is a system influenced by many complex interlinked feedback loops. Gender equality and the empowerment of women is a global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), also subject to many influences depending on context and national circumstances. While there is no doubt that climate and gender equality are intersectional issues, both are stand-alone goals under the SDGs, and jostle for position with other social and economic development priorities.

Presenting assessments of NDCs made using a quantitative and qualitative framework, and including an eight-point scale to illustrate the journey from ‘no gender integration’ through to ‘gender awareness, sensitivity and responsiveness’, the report showcases existing best practices for countries to emulate, and proposes a set of recommendations that can be followed during future NDC revision processes. Furthermore, it identifies critical gaps common to most NDCs, and provides a baseline for Commonwealth Secretariat interventions towards policy development, finance, technology and capacity building for implementation of gender-inclusive climate action in Commonwealth member countries.

Please also see our accompanying publication, Gender Integration in NDCs: A Commonwealth Best Practice Guide, which provides practical support to those seeking to integrate gender into NDCs in Commonwealth member countries.