In Belém, Brazil, COP30 adopts a landmark gender plan by approving the Belém Gender Action Plan, which represents an important milestone in climate change policy development. UN Women applauded the action but stated that to be successful, implementation must be rights-based and supported by legislation and related funding mechanisms.

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Roadmap for the Next Nine Years

The newly adopted Belém Gender Action Plan (GAP) lays out a nine-year road map for incorporating gender equality into climate action through to 2034. It highlights some of the main priorities, including health, violence prevention, decent work, and protecting women environmental defenders from harm. The Parties have also agreed to conduct a mid-term evaluation of the progress made in implementing the GAP in 2029.

One of the main advantages of this plan is that it pays particular attention to issues of intersectionality, specifically, the GAP recognises the added climate change-related burden that Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and women of African descent live under. Hence, it makes the plan fairer and more inclusive, specifically within those communities located on the front lines of climate change.

Also Read: The COP30 Outcomes: Understanding Its Impact And Future Path

Don’t Miss This Opportunity – A Warning from UN Women

While the community welcomes this new plan of action, UN Women calls upon all stakeholders to ensure that the plan translates into action. According to Sarah Hendricks, director of UN Women’s global programs, if there is not enough funding, technology and capacity building, this plan will be nothing more than a piece of paper. Therefore, it’s crucial that COP30 adopts a landmark gender plan in practice.

Also, UN Women calls upon all stakeholders to create transparent accountability mechanisms so that the plan is beneficial to all women and girls.

Tension Remains

While negotiations have been ongoing for several years, there have been many points of contention throughout the negotiation process. One major point of contention was the definition of “gender” used in the text; conservative blocs were advocating for an exclusively “biological sex” definition. Some critics expressed that such a narrow definition would prevent trans and non-binary people from being considered part of that group and, therefore, would weaken an inclusive approach to climate action.

Also Read: COP30 Shows Paris Agreement Is On Track, UNEP Head Inger Andersen Affirms

Significance of Timing & Next Steps

At COP 29, the Lima Work Programme was extended by COP 30 Delegates, who subsequently agreed on the need for a more substantive and cohesive gender-focused strategy. As a result of COP30’s discussions and the recommendations made by UN Women regarding the Belém GAP, gender equality could become more than a principle – it could be a foundational component of climate change action worldwide.

UN Women has committed to assist all stakeholders, governments, civil society and grassroots organisations in making the Gender Action Plan a reality, but the ultimate challenge will rely upon countries’ commitment, in terms of both money and policy support, as well as continued implementation over the long term.

Also Read: Despite UN’s Dire Warning, COP30’s Fragile Deal Keeps Climate Fight Alive