Inclusive representation is fundamental to equitable and effective environmental governance, particularly in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, the three focus areas of the well-known Rio Conventions.  

Women, who are often disproportionately affected by these crises through limited access to resources, health risks, and economic opportunities, bring unique perspectives that are essential for crafting comprehensive policies. Yet, systemic gender imbalances persist, limiting the diversity of voices in decision-making and potentially weakening global responses to the triple planetary crisis.

A new report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) analyzes the gender composition of national focal points across the three Rio Conventions: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Based on sex-disaggregated data from 194 UN Member States as of 2024, the report reveals that 60% of focal points — the official representatives of UN Member States—are male (496), compared to 40% female (334).

The gap is 10% at the aggregate level globally. However, the report provides further details on the observed disparities across regions and conventions, underscoring the underrepresentation of women in roles that influence agenda-setting, negotiations, and policy implementation in global environmental governance. The report exposes significant regional and institutional disparities. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) exhibits the highest gender imbalance, with men occupying 65% of focal point roles, followed by the UNFCCC (59%) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (55%).

Geographically, the gap is widest in Africa, where men account for 75% of representatives compared to just 25% for women. In contrast, Eastern Europe and Western Europe have achieved female majorities in their delegations, at 67% and 54% respectively. The analysis underscores how this imbalance reflects broader patterns of exclusion of women from certain parts of the world in global environmental governance. As the world grapples with escalating environmental challenges, the report argues that gender-inclusive governance is not just a matter of equity but a strategic imperative for legitimacy, accountability, and innovative solutions.

Source: https://unu.edu/inweh/news/gender-imbalance-hinders-equitable-environmental-governance-un-university-report-reveals