COP26 has put the spotlight on how women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men. Gender inequality, like climate change, is one of the biggest issues of our lifetime.
Findings from the United Nations reveal that women are hit harder by the effects of climate change, in part because they make up such a large portion of the world’s poor. UN figures show that 80% of people displaced due to climate-related disasters are women and children. The answer to solving gender inequality and climate change is complex to say the least. The efforts at COP26 have shone a light on these pressing issues but to overcome them, education is key.
How can education help advance gender equality in climate change?
The Government announced £165m of UK funding this week to boost women’s climate leadership and support those most vulnerable to climate change. Within those programmes, education was a strong feature. At NCFE, we believe that through shaping smarter learning, we can help to build a fairer society, create opportunities to progress, and ensure no learner is left behind, regardless of their status or background. This means helping more individuals to realise their true potential – in turn, establishing more sustainable communities.
In the UK, the Government’s ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution will see the creation of up to 250,000 green jobs in many different sectors. We must ensure that women are equipped with the knowledge and skills – as well as the means and motivation – to access these opportunities.
For women already in the workforce, we need to help them understand how their skills and experience can map across to jobs related to climate action, and provide them with the transferable skills they’ll need so that no one is left behind.
How education can boost environmental progress.
NCFE is committed to embedding sustainability into the curriculum. We’re working with established and emerging experts in the industry to identify areas of need and to help develop clear pathways into green jobs.
This must start from early years and run right through the education system – explaining to young girls that they can have “green jobs”, breaking down stereotypes, and communicating the different pathways they can take to a career in this field.
We know there are many great female role models working in the green sector, like Tracy Machnicki at Britishvolt and Charlotte Bonner at The Education and Training Foundation – who work closely with NCFE.
Charlotte Bonner, National Head of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at The Education and Training Foundation (ETF), talking about the link between gender inequality and climate change, said: “Social responsibility and eradicating inequality is an integral part of the sustainability agenda – the two are intrinsically linked. By reducing gender inequalities, we can ensure the solutions to climate change and other sustainability challenges are equitable and just.”
Tracy Machnicki, Social Value Manager at Britishvolt, an organisation that delivers sustainable, low-carbon batteries and is committed to accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon future, comments: “With the clean energy business offering fresh opportunities, it is the perfect time for women to take the helm and deliver the employment of the future. This is a really amazing time for the planet. COP26 is the perfect platform to amplify this message.”
As always, collaboration between the education sector, employers and government is vital to making real progress when it comes to gender equality in climate change. NCFE will continue to work with industry stakeholders to ensure our products and services are setting women up for successful careers in STEM and climate action. We’ll also be furthering our commitment to help break down barriers to education, enabling everyone to access the highest quality of education – to both address climate changerelated gender inequalities and to empower women to become future leaders in climate action