This is not limited to the extraction of material resources; it is also tied closely with extraction of labor and works together with structures of oppression. A core example of this is the fact that contributions of care, which is feminized, are not formalized, recognized nor measured, yet always assumed: any cutbacks on social spending (austerity or fiscal consolidation policies) rely on that informal contribution to cover the gap.

Addressing the climate crisis requires system change, not just in the ways that oppressive systems operate in extracting wealth and resources, but also in the ways we define and recognize value. This is why feminist climate justice advocates see climate justice, racial justice, economic justice, gender and social justice as interlinked and inseparable. A guiding mantra since the Beijing+25 review process has been #FeministsWantSystemChange.

This brief outlines the relationship between climate, colonization, and militarization, alongside language that can be used for advocacy towards key policy interventions to support a care economy. Its central tenet is that the money needed to invest in climate solutions can be sourced through changes in the way we manage our economies; and our economies must be clear in the need to centrally value and build policy around care. The care-centered economy fundamental to feminist demands can and should be paid for through these systemic economic shifts—which will in turn lead to benefits both in terms of reducing emissions and environmental damage as well as limiting the impacts of conflict on communities.