By RTCC Staff
2.4 billion women still use traditional biomass fuels or cook over health-threatening open fires (Source: CDM Photo Contests/Flickr)
The Rockefeller Foundation will fund a new UN programme highlighting the role women have in addressing climate change.
The charity has awarded the UN climate convention (UNFCCC) a grant for their Momentum for Change: Women for Results project, supporting activities to inform governments, media and the public about the role of women in solving climate change.
Women often run households in the developing world, and as a result are hardest hit by climate change. This can force them to travel vast distances for water, food and fuel – and leave them at the front line when drought or famine strike.
“Women are often the most likely to suffer as a result of climate change,” said Dr Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation.
“As we see our changing climate increasingly impacting livelihoods, from food security to health, from poverty to education, it is critical that we work together to build the resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable populations, especially women and girls.”
The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the USA’s oldest charities. Its stated aim is to address threats facing the world’s poorest nations.
UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, who is a strong advocate of women’s involvement in climate action and dedicated a day to the issue at the Rio+20 earth summit in June, said this was just the start of what she hopes will be a longer partnership.
“I am convinced that highlighting activities which are led by women will help governments, international development agencies, civil society and the public at large to understand that action on the ground is already happening, and will act as a catalyst to encourage others to take action to address climate change.”
Momentum for Change: Women for Results will be formally launched on 5 December during the next UN climate conference in Doha, Qatar.
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