Female, male, sustainable - genanet - Leitstelle GENDER ...

PREFACE
Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, President, Federal Environment Agency of Germany
3
PREFACE
You may be wondering why gender justice constitutes a precondition for sustainable, long-term environmentally
sound development. Regularly, surveys have shown that women and men perceive environmental risks
differently, often have different attitudes towards technical solutions to environmental problems, and accept
the need for behavioural change in their own specific ways. We would be able to draw on a larger pool of ideas
if we were to integrate both perspectives – feminine and masculine – when debating environmental threats
such as climate change or the degradation of biodiversity. Ignoring one perspective, we lose out not only on
ideas, visions and potential solutions, but also on support for strong environmental policies.
Whether we look at the renewable energy sector or climate change negotiations, women are noticeably absent
from public discussion panels and management positions. As a result, we forego the innovative diversity of
perspectives offered by both genders.
The genanet project aims at linking gender justice and sustainability within a strong network of experts based
not only in Germany, but all across Europe.
For three years, genanet – focal point gender, environment, sustainability, has been dedicated to issues
connected to gender justice and sustainability. genanet informs, coordinates and takes a public stand – both
politically and scientifically. It places major emphasis on new ideas and concepts for the successful integration
of gender aspects into environment and sustainability. genanet provides fundamental, pro-active services to
successfully put the complex double issue of “gender justice and sustainability” firmly on the agenda – be it
at the International Conference for Renewable Energies in Bonn (2004), throughout the revision of the German
Federal Government’s Sustainability Strategy, or when commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl
disaster.
And genanet wants even more: It reaches out to the media and the general public so that they may benefit
from extensive comprehensive knowledge of this focal point on gender justice and sustainability.
I hope that genanet will continue to be successful, and that reading
of this brochure will be an inspiring experience for all of you.