Razan Al Mubarak discusses the importance of gender equality in an op-ed for Context News

Context News

In an op-ed for Context News, Razan Al Mubarak discusses the importance of including women and girls in climate talks and efforts, highlighting both their impact on daily practices and the lack of representation at the decision making nexus:

“Women, as the main users and producers of household energy, are more likely to be energy-efficient and adopt environmentally friendly behaviors, the OECD has found. As primary stewards of their land and traditions in many communities, they tend to have a stronger understanding of how their natural resources are affected by climate change, and how they can adapt, according to UN Women. Yet, despite the significant value of their knowledge and expertise, women are still widely sidelined and excluded from decision-making.”

Ms. Al Mubarak also speaks on the lack of data surrounding the issue, and how it affects the decision-making process:

“The lack of gender-disaggregated data is an economy-wide problem. Women deal daily with products such as mobile phones, medicines, and car seat belts that were designed for men’s bodies, and they live in a global economy that has failed to value the time they spend caring for families and maintaining households, according to Invisible Women.”

Read the full op-ed by Razan Al Mubarak in Context News.

Razan Al Mubarak Champions Nature and Inclusion at COP28 UAE

COP28

H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, advocated for nature and the inclusion of women and indigenous communities at the UN Climate Change Conference that took place in Dubai, UAE from 30 November to 13 December 2023.

During the COP28 World Climate Action Summit Presidency event, Ms. Al Mubarak announced initial total commitments of more than $1 billion to support nature-climate projects, including the UAE's strategic $100 million investment with a focus on the world’s largest forest basins across South America, Africa and Southeast Asia.

“Today we witnessed a pivotal shift towards integrating nature into our climate strategies. This summit marked a turning point, where we collectively recognized the indispensable contribution of nature not only to our climate system but also to its profound, intangible value to our communities and cultures.

Ms. Al Mubarak, who is also President of IUCN, spoke on nature's invaluable role in our climate strategy during Nature Day at COP28:

“Nature is not just an ally; it's a powerful force capable of providing more than 30% of our mitigation needs by 2030. Nature Day calls on all of us – leaders, policymakers, communities, and individuals alike – to acknowledge and amplify nature's role in our climate strategy. It's a day to recommit to protecting and nurturing the environment that sustains every aspect of our lives.”

In addition, Ms. al Mubarak announced the launch of the COP28 Gender-Responsive Just Transition and Climate Action Partnership. In a speech, she stated that “climate change is not gender neutral,” recognizing that women and girls make up the majority of the world’s poor and that, despite this, and maybe because of it, they are at the forefront of climate action.

Ms. Al Mubarak also participated in the first ever Indigenous Peoples Day to be observed at a climate conference, recognizing the importance of acknowledging and honoring their remarkable contributions to safeguarding our planet:

“Indigenous peoples’ stewardship of lands rich in biodiversity, acting as critical carbon sinks, is indispensable in the fight against climate change, and indigenous leadership in managing vital lands has demonstrated unparalleled effectiveness in maintaining biodiversity and curbing deforestation.”

Ms. Al Mubarak ended the 10-day conference with a call to recognize and integrate the value of nature into the negotiated texts and climate actions, saying that “the significance of this day extends beyond the conference halls; it resonates with each of us on a personal and global level.”