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

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Subtle differences – arguments for
more gender justice
As a result of climate change, global environmental
transformations are gaining intensity, creating a
growing demand for solutions that cater to the
idiosyncrasies and needs of all social groups and for
inclusion in decision making processes. With this in
mind, genanet puts gender perspectives at the centre
and shows that the climate and energy sectors need
to turn their attention to gender roles and differences
between women and men – because differences rule:
in political debates and economic planning, in the
ways women and men are affected by environmental
problems, the ways they perceive risks, and so on.
Participation and involvement: Women are underrepresented
in all relevant political and economic decisions
concerning energy and climate protection – be it at
the local, national or international levels. Taking the
UN climate negotiations as an example, the percentage
of women in government delegations at the 11th UNFCCC
Conference in November 2006 was only 15.7 per cent. Even
though there are some instances of large, international,
non-governmental organisations led by courageous
women, primarily men, also in environmental associations,
deal with this subject area.
Employment and exertion of influence: In industrial
nations, energy production and distribution make up
some of the most significant economic factors. Accordingly,
these sectors are extremely powerful and that power
is exercised widely to the exclusion of women. In other
words: Women are afforded very little influence in both
national and international energy planning and policymaking.
Since energy production is a technically dominated
area of operation known for its extremely low
percentages of women, the creation of new jobs in the
renewable energy sector is of little advantage to them.
➤ genaStudy 5: Renewable energy fonds – profits exclusively
for higher-income-earners? A critical analysis
of tax incentives for share models in renewables / wind
power. Frankfurt/Main 2005. (in German only)
➤ genaStudy 6: Women in the renewable energy economy
– results of a survey among initiatives, associations,
and corporations. Frankfurt/Main 2005. (in German
only)
EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
Both studies can be accessed over the Internet.
Visit: http://www.genanet.de/publikationen.html