Gender in a just urban transition: Discussion paper

In 2023, more than 56 percent of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a figure that is expected to grow to 68 percent by 2050. Almost 90 percent of this increase is expected to take place in Africa and Asia. While particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, cities also account for two-thirds of global energy consumption and more than 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. How the energy transition and urbanisation are shaped, governed and implemented will thus determine whether and how underlying gender and social injustices are tackled. What can be done to ensure current gaps in equality and inclusion are no longer overlooked or unaddressed? Can these processes be leveraged as an opportunity to address existing gaps, strengthen inclusion and promote equality? If so, how can this be enabled? What are key entry points and promising approaches?

This paper reviews discussions unfolding around these questions, which were debated during a “Gender Lab” titled “Gender in Urban Just Transition” held on September 7, 2023 within the scope of the third edition of the Just Transition Forum Asia (JTFA), hosted by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA). The lab on “Gender in Urban Just Transition” brought together stakeholders from cities in Asia to explore the challenges and opportunities of a pathway to achieve just transitions in cities from a gender angle and to share best practices and innovative solutions for achieving a socially gender inclusive and climate-resilient future.