WEDO exists to advance feminist leadership and solutions towards a just and healthy planet for all—and The UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) is an important space to carry out our mission.
*We’ll be updating this blog as more event and engagement details are confirmed!
WEDO Executive Director Bridget Burns at the Bonn Climate Conference. Photo by Kiara Worth for IISD
The 2023 Conference of Parties (COP28) will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates in Dubai from 30th November to 12th December. Dubbed the “GST COP,” COP28 is expected to galvanize political momentum towards the first ever Global Stocktake outcome of the Paris Agreement. The phase down of fossil fuels and phase in of a just transition, as well as matters related to finance—especially the highly contested Loss and Damage Fund—are expected to be high-priority agenda items.
Projected to host more than 50,000 delegates, COP28 will be the biggest climate summit ever. Hosted in the ‘Expo City’ venue, COP28 is sadly expected to attract more exhibitions, including from fossil fuel and corporate lobbyists—an alarming trend that WEDO and other feminists have been vocal against.
WEDO will have a delegation in Dubai to advocate for gender-just decisions and an overall vision of divesting from harm to invest in care; strengthen capacities and knowledge at the intersection of gender and climate; convene gender advocates and governments; and build truth when opportunities arises through direct action.
For media and interview requests, contact Lindsay Bigda: lindsay@wedo.org | +1 207-385-7924.
WEDO will have seven staff members on the ground at COP28. Learn more about them below:
Global Conference on Gender & Environment Data: November 28-29. Watch a video recap here.
Join us on 4 December,18-19:30h for a “Gender Just Transition” event and reception at the WGC Pavilion. And, join us on 5 December for the Annual Gender Just Climate Solutions Awards.
WEDO Senior Global Policy Lead Mwanahamisi Singano at the Bonn Climate Conference. Photo by Kiara Worth/IISD.
Over the course of almost four decades, the concept of a “just transition” has undergone a transformative journey. Rooted in the protection of workers’ rights, it has evolved into a broader movement advocating for systemic change.
WEDO recognizes the need to stand in solidarity with workers worldwide, in line with just transition’s original purpose of safeguarding workers’ rights, as well as to advocate for a vision of a gender just transition grounded in structural transformation. This call for a structural change is deeply rooted in feminist ideology and principles.
>> Read our new brief on gender just transition here!
At COP, WEDO staff will be monitoring the UNFCCC Just Transition Work Programme and the Launch of the Gender Just Transition Partnership. But we will also be proactively advancing our vision of a gender just transition—one grounded in principles of shifting power, redistributing resources equitably, valuing paid care work, and providing dignified work for people of all genders.
Visual media opportunity: Collective mural on feminist fossil free future at WGC Pavilion
Bonn Climate Change Conference. Photo by Kiara Worth/IISD.
A systemic and structural transformation of our global economic systems and climate finance flows is urgently required – to reach communities and countries on the frontlines of climate impacts, as well as to fund a gender just transition.
WEDO staff will be monitoring progress towards the Loss and Damage Fund; New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance (NCQG); and the Green Climate Fund replenishment and direct access.
WEDO will also use this opportunity to showcase feminist funding alternatives—such as the GJCS Scale Fund—to support grassroots solutions. A small delegation from the Feminist Action Nexus for Economic & Climate Justice will also be on the ground at COP28, and will host a teach-in on feminist analysis around issues around trade, tax and debt.
Gender-disaggregated data gives us insights into the unequal impacts of climate change—but a massive shortage of data at the intersection of gender and environment hinders action and policy to advance both climate action and gender equality.
The Gender and Environment Data Alliance (GEDA, co-led by WEDO, is co-sponsoring a (virtual & in-person) Global Conference on Gender and Environment Data on Nov. 28-29.
WEDO’s Gender Climate Tracker app & platform provides key info on gender mandates and women’s participation in the UNFCCC, and country profiles (including gender analyses of NDCs). The GCT provides:
Gender Mandates: Navigate all UNFCCC decisions that contain a reference to gender (and soon IPCC, CBD and CCD references as well);
Participation Statistics: The participation of women and men in UNFCCC Party delegations and constituted bodies;
Country Profiles: Key advocacy information, including NDC gender analyses and relevant news and resources; and
News & Resources: Relevant news and resources including NAP analyses and UNFCCC submissions.
The Women and Gender Constituency, co-convened by WEDO, is proud to be supporting a delegation of frontline and grassroots leaders and feminist advocates from the MENA region to participate at COP28. Read the demands from the MENA Feminist Taskforce here.
Key Events:
The Women and Gender Constituency will host the first ever Women and Gender Blue Zone Pavilion at COP28! It will be a space for conspiring, sharing and breathing, learning and envisioning together, and amplifying impact. View the Pavilion Program here.
Engage in the Women and Gender Constituency’s collective solidarity color campaign online or in-person during key days throughout COP28.
WEDO has long recognized and advocated that women’s leadership and equal participation in climate change decision-making is fundamental to just policies that reflect and respond to the needs of the global community. Our commitment to advancing and supporting women’s participation through the Women Delegates Fund (WDF) continues this year, in partnership with the Governments of Canada, Scotland and Australia, providing support to an incredible cohort of women delegates.
This weekend, we hosted our traditional WDF “Night School” for these delegates to support preparation for the upcoming meeting and to facilitate a fully simulated negotiations session—building skills in drafting text, coordinating positions and building consensus.
As a co-convener of the SRHR and Climate Justice Coalition, WEDO will highlight the importance of gender equality and sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR) for climate justice—including in the context of the first thematic day on climate and health.
Key Events:
As part of its U.S. advocacy work and as a co-convener of the Feminist Green New Deal, WEDO will amplify feminist perspectives on global climate justice, including demands of the U.S. Government.
Key Events:
Download the report in English Arabic – عربي Spanish – español French – francés Women’s participation in climate and environmental decision-making is a human right, and leads to stronger environmental outcomes. Yet, progress toward gender balance in UNFCCC spaces has
Tax injustice is prominent across the world – and especially in Africa’s extractive industry. While extractive industries are important sources of revenue in many African economies, the revenue could be much higher— because Africa loses huge amounts in illicit financial
In recent years, it has become increasingly common to see the U.S. and EU governments discuss the climate crisis as a security issue, integrating climate change considerations into violent defense, military, and border enforcement strategies. As governments do this, one
Women’s Environment
& Development Organization
