As the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) unfolds in Baku, discussions on climate action have highlighted an undeniable truth about gender which whether biased or neglected remains unknown. This stirred controversy as the Gender Day was celebrated at COP29 pointing out that women and girls are not just victims of climate change, but essential leaders in the fight against it. Gender Day, held on November 21st, brought the global spotlight on the need for gender-responsive approaches to climate solutions.

According to Simon Stiell, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, his call to action was an emphasis that gender equality and climate action must rise in tandem to achieve their full transformative force.

This year’s Gender Day at COP29 went beyond talk since there was a concerted effort to push for real, impactful change. While women are often on the frontlines of climate resilience, they are also the most vulnerable to its effects. Their leadership, however, remains underfunded and underrepresented in key decision-making bodies. Yet, as the world grapples with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and displacement, one thing is clear: addressing gender inequality is crucial to achieving long-term climate resilience.

The European Union took the lead in amplifying gender as a priority in climate action, with countries like Canada, Mexico, and Chile joining in a collective pledge. They committed to mainstreaming gender across all climate action plans, recognizing that when women are included in decision-making processes, outcomes are not only more equitable but also more effective.

Jan Dusík, Deputy Director-General for Climate Action at the European Commission, made this point clear when he stated, “We are not only building resilience but creating a fairer, more inclusive world for generations to come.” His words emphasized that gender equality is not just a moral imperative, but a practical necessity for addressing the climate crisis effectively​.

At the heart of these discussions were women leading climate solutions at the grassroots level. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, women are driving renewable energy initiatives that bring power to communities that have long been off the grid.

In Latin America, Indigenous women are protecting vital ecosystems, using a combination of traditional knowledge and modern science to preserve biodiversity and tackle deforestation. These women are already proving that gender-responsive climate action works—yet they are often overlooked by policymakers and underfunded in the global climate finance agenda​.

Dr. Jemimah Njuki, Chief of Economic Empowerment at UN Women, pointed out that achievement of the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement without ensuring that women have the financial resources, support, and power to lead the way in climate solutions is unviable.

She emphasized that for COP29 to be truly impactful, gender-focused finance must be scaled up to ensure that women-led climate projects are adequately supported. Women are leading the charge, but they need the resources to make their efforts sustainable and scalable​.

Gender-responsive climate finance was a major focus at COP29, with calls for financial mechanisms that prioritize the most vulnerable populations. This includes ensuring that the $100 billion climate finance goal, which was delayed in previous years, is fully realized and that gender-smart financing is embedded in all future financial pledges.

The Loss and Damage Fund, which was established at COP28, also took center stage. Advocates for gender equality argued that this fund must be designed to meet the specific needs of women who face unique challenges due to climate-induced loss and damage, especially in low-income and conflict-affected regions​.

Furthermore, one of the critical aspects of this year’s discussions was the integration of gender into transparency frameworks. This includes the Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), which track global climate progress. By incorporating gender analysis into these reports, countries can better understand the impacts of climate change on women and ensure that their needs are addressed in future climate action plans. This kind of data is vital for tracking progress on gender equality within the context of climate change and ensuring accountability​.

The momentum of the day at COP29 set the stage for a deeper, more sustained integration of gender considerations into the climate agenda. As discussions continue, the message is clear: without gender equality, we cannot hope to tackle the climate crisis effectively. The inclusion of women in decision-making processes, the scaling up of gender-smart climate finance, and the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund are just the beginning.

The day at COP29 proved that integrating gender equality into climate action is not just a lofty ideal—it’s an urgent necessity. As we look toward a more sustainable future, ensuring that women and girls are at the forefront of climate action will be essential to building a resilient and just world. The calls for gender-responsive climate action are not just about fairness—they are about ensuring the future of our planet.