Changing the story for women and girls at COP27

CARE calls on world leaders to change the story for women and girls at the 27th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27), taking place from 6-18 November in Egypt.

The time for action on climate justice is now.

Countries facing the harshest impacts of global warming cannot wait. People are losing their livelihoods – and their lives – due to more severe droughts, floods and famines.

And it’s women and girls who are the most affected. Women are the first to go hungry to feed their families, girls are the first to drop out of school, women and girls are walking longer distances and making dangerous journeys to fetch water and look for food.

In East Africa, drought has pushed millions of people to the brink of starvation. Yet, the countries affected are responsible for just 0.1% of global emissions. Just seven other countries have contributed more to carbon emissions than the UK. This is central to the principle of loss and damage. Those who have contributed the most to climate change, reaping the benefits of cheap energy and industrialisation, should pay for the damage inflicted on countries who have contributed the least.

CARE’s demands for COP27

CARE is calling on governments to make COP27 a game-changer, with decisive actions in response to the near-apocalyptic crises the world has experienced in 2022:

Promote gender justice in climate policies

Women and girls bear the brunt of climate change. All climate policies discussed during COP27 must include women and girls' leadership and protect their rights.

Keep 1.5 alive

We cannot allow global heating to cross the 1.5°C mark. World leaders must commit now to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 43% by 2030 to get back on track.

Provide USD 600bn for climate finance by 2025

Rich countries must commit to providing USD 600bn by 2025 to help the most vulnerable communities cope with the climate crisis.

Define a global plan to adapt to climate changes

We need a global plan to adapt to climate change that guarantees equal participation of countries, has locally-led actions and that considers the higher risks faced by women and girls during disasters, such as gender-based violence.

Finance loss and damage for vulnerable communities

Vulnerable communities must get help to address climate change impacts that they can’t adapt to. It’s only fair that rich countries, responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions, finance the loss and damage in nations devastated by the climate crisis.