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Gender Balance
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Archive

Previous Gender Composition Reports: 

FCCC/CP/2023/4

FCCC/CP/2022/3

FCCC/CP/2021/4

FCCC/CP/2020/3

FCCC/CP/2019/9

FCCC/CP/2018/3

FCCC/CP/2017/6

FCCC/CP/2016/4

FCCC/CP/2015/6

FCCC/CP/2014/7

FCCC/CP/2013/4

Related information

Achieving the goal of gender balance. Technical paper by the secretariat available here>>>

Gender pledge in UNFCCC Conferences

In pursuit of balanced gender distribution across panelists/speakers, side events and exhibits organizers are asked to pledge to the commitment and indicate planned gender distribution during the applications. 

The side events and exhibits application manual can be consulted here>>>

The gender composition report is published every year by the Secretariat to support Parties in tracking progress on gender balance to promote a gender-sensitive climate policy.

Gender balance

 

 

The report includes two main components: The gender composition of decision-making and technical bodies under UN Climate Change (also known as constituted bodies) as well as national delegations to climate conferences. 

The latest report also includes three case studies on the gender composition of :

I) Party delegates having received funding through the trust fund for participation in the UNFCCC process for in-person participation in UNFCCC sessions held between 2013 and 2023

II) Representatives of admitted observer organizations attending the most recent UNFCCC sessions

III) Staff of the secretariat

 

📄 Based on the current data:

  • 7 out of 18 constituted bodies reported having achieved the goal of gender balance compared with 5 out of 16 in 2023.
  • Overall, female representation on constituted bodies averaged 39%, compared with 38% in 2023. 
  • Between 2013 and 2024, female representation has increased in 10 constituted bodies, most significantly in the FWG (from 14 to 71 per cent) and on the AC (from 20 to 63 per cent). In contrast, representation of women in the CGE has decreased from 52 to 33 per cent.
  • At COP 28, CMP 18 and CMA 5 the representation of women decreased by 1 percentage point (Party Delegates) compared to COP 27, CMP 17 and CMA 4. A similar decrease (1.5 percentage points) can be observed in representation of women among heads and deputy heads of delegation.
  • At SB 60, gender balance was achieved among Party delegates, with 51 per cent representation of women (1 percentage point higher than at SB 58). Among heads and deputy heads of delegation an increase of 1.5 percentage points in representation of women (to 38.5 per cent) can be observed when compared with SB 58.

 

Here are some findings highlighted in the case studies featured in the report:

  • A total of 5,431 delegates received funding through the trust fund for participation in the UNFCCC process for in-person participation in UNFCCC sessions held between 2013 and 2023, of which 1,624 (30 per cent) were women. Check the case study to know the data by session and regional group.
  • A total of 17,861 representatives of observer organizations attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates, of which 8,593 were women (48.1 per cent).
  • A total of 2,307 observer organization representatives attended SB 60, of which 1,300 were women (56.3 per cent). In the report you will find further information on the NGO participation by gender and category.
  • Gender balance of the secretariat has improved since 2015 to a more equitable distribution of male and female employees in 2023. Women’s representation in Professional level staff increased from 39 per cent in 2015 to 50 per cent in 2023. However, while 50 per cent of Professional level staff and 58 per cent of all staff were women in 2023, women’s representation has historically been lower at progressively higher positions. Further information and figures can be consulted in the report.

Consult the latest gender composition report here>>>  to know more.

 

Previous reports included other case studies as:

 

I) Analysis of speaking times during plenaries and meetings and a review of activities carried out by Mexico (FCCC/CP/2022/3) and by Chile (FCCC/CP/2021/4) to increase the representation of women in leadership positions within the UNFCCC process and in their delegation itself

II) Gender composition of Party delegates having received funding through the Trust Fund for Participation in the UNFCCC Process for in-person participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (FCCC/CP/2023/4)

 

 

More information on the election and appointment of members for positions on bodies under the Convention, Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement is constantly updated here>>>

 

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