The impacts of climate change, environmental degradation and disasters are unequally felt across Asia and the Pacific. Women and marginalized groups have less access to resources such as information, finance and technologies, leaving them with greater challenges in coping and rebuilding after a crisis. But despite being underrepresented in environmental decision-making, women can play powerful roles in accelerating positive change.
Jointly implemented by UN Women and UNEP, with support from the Governments of Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies programme (EmPower) aims to strengthen gender equality and human rights in climate change and disaster risk actions in the Asia and the Pacific region.
Between 2023-2027, the EmPower programme will work in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines Viet Nam and across Asia and the Pacific on three outcomes:
- Asia-Pacific actors increase action on gender responsive climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Women in all their diversity and other marginalized groups are represented as key environmental actors in climate and DRR decision-making.
- Women and other marginalized groups in Asia-Pacific engage in climate-resilient livelihoods.
Supporting member states in implementing gender-responsive energy policies
EmPower works with national and regional actors to advance the implementation and monitoring of gender-responsive energy policies, by providing tailored capacity building support to institutions. This includes the conducting of regular mentoring and peer-learning sessions and technical assistance in the implementation and monitoring of gender-related commitments underscored in their NDCs and other climate-related policies.
Raising investment for renewable energy and women’s economic empowerment
Through the first phase of EmPower (2018-2022) EmPower has a well-established methodology supporting the setting up of women economic livelihood projects that harness the potential of renewable energy and other clean technologies. UNEP through the EmPower programme has committed to raise investments for renewable energy technologies and its interventions that are gender-responsive and uphold human rights and the principle of leave no one behind.
Skill development in the context of just clean energy transition
EmPower works with the financial sector to enable access to finance for renewable energy systems for underserved communities, to promote a gender just energy transition. EmPower aims to foster the use of renewable energy for women’s economic empowerment and climate resilient livelihoods while focusing on access to finance, providing appropriate skills and facilitating the transition to low carbon, sustainable development and enhancing climate resilience.
Publications:
- E-learning on Gender Equality and Human Rights in Climate Action and Renewable Energy
- ESG Guidance Note
Multimedia Resources:
