CGIAR@COP30: Gender Negotiation Updates

Climate change is not gender-neutral – and neither can be our response. As COP30 gets underway, one of the major milestones will be the adoption of a new UNFCCC Gender Action Plan (GAP) under the enhanced Lima work programme on gender. At COP29 last year, Parties concluded a review of the existing gender program (established in 2014 and extended in 2019) and agreed to continue it for another 10 years. They tasked negotiators to develop a fresh GAP, with work beginning at the mid-year Bonn session (SB62 in June 2025) and a draft decision slated for approval at COP30. The stakes are high: this new plan will set the course for the next decade of gender-responsive climate action. Why does this matter? Women, especially in agriculture and rural communities, are disproportionately affected by climate impacts, yet they are powerful agents of change. Ensuring that climate policies and finance address gender gaps can greatly enhance their effectiveness. The context is ripe – global awareness of the gender-climate nexus has grown, and COP30’s presidency under Brazil has emphasized social inclusion. Now the challenge is to move from rhetoric to results: a GAP that doesn’t just tick the box of “gender balance” in meetings, but actually drives resources and support to women on the ground, building climate resilience.

In 2024, Kenya made a submission and recognized CGIAR Gender Impact Platform for its contributions to the country’s progress toward priorities laid out in the GAP including establishing gender and climate change platforms and support to negotiators to engage in UNFCCC processes and knowledge exchange forums. At COP29, after controversial discussions, Parties agreed to extend the enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and its associated Gender Action Plan (GAP) for 10 years. Overcoming significant tensions around finance, inclusive language, and the framework’s placement under the UN climate processes. The final text avoided explicit finance commitments, reflecting the position of developed countries that such discussions should happen in broader finance negotiations. This disappointed developing countries that sought dedicated funding for gender-responsive policies.  

What we are watching for at COP30

 For CGIAR and gender champions, success at COP30 will be measured by how strong and actionable the new Gender Action Plan is. Key elements to look for include: specific objectives (e.g. increase women’s participation in climate planning, or integrate gender in X% of climate projects), accountability mechanisms (such as regular monitoring reports on GAP progress), and financial commitments. A major topic is whether the GAP will have a dedicated funding stream or at least clear guidance for the operating entities of the UNFCCC (Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, etc.) to support gender-responsive programs. UN Women and others have called for significantly ramping up resources – essentially, moving from planning to paying for gender equality in climate action. CGIAR will also watch how the plan links to other COP30 outcomes: for instance, will the decisions on the Just Transition Work Programme or Adaptation (GGA) reference gender dimensions? There is encouraging momentum: negotiators have widely acknowledged that a climate-just future requires putting women and marginalized groups at the center. We expect Brazil’s presidency, with its social justice emphasis, to champion a strong outcome. CGIAR’s delegation is hopeful that the final GAP text includes food systems language – reflecting that empowering women farmers is key to adaptation and mitigation. They will also stress the need for capacity building: countries need support to implement gender-responsive policies (e.g. training in gender budgeting for climate ministries).