As consequences of climate change, biodiversity loss or environmental degradation affect women and men differently, gender equality is increasingly considered an indispensable dimension of effective climate and environmental governance. International frameworks such as the “UNFCCC Gender Action Plan” or the “CBD Gender Plan of Action” stress the significance of gender-responsive approaches in climate and environmental policy.
In this light, GIZ convened more than 60 experts from government think tanks, research institutions, civil society and international organisations, in Beijing on 6 July 2026 to exchange experiences, showcase practical approaches, and strengthen collaboration at the intersection of gender equality, climate change, and environmental protection.
The Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning (CAEP) opened the event with a keynote presentation on China’s climate and environmental policies from a gender perspective. Research conducted by CAEP and supported by UN Women highlights the need for systematic integration of gender perspectives throughout climate and environmental policymaking, including enhanced female participation in decision-making, and more gender-responsive research and data collection.
The keynote was followed by three practical case studies of gender-responsive project implementation across climate and environmental sectors. Activities carried out by Plan International enable young women to develop and implement local climate solutions, ranging from community climate education and wetland conservation to promoting green careers and climate justice for women with disabilities. Shenzhen Zero Waste highlighted the unequal exposure of women and men to chemical pollution: due to household and care responsibilities or beauty products, gender norms result in disproportionate environmental health risks for women. Last but not least, GIZ East Asia showcased how gender-responsive approaches can contribute to more inclusive and sustainable freight transport planning by working with partners to analyse gender representation across transport occupations, identify barriers to equal employment opportunities, and integrate gender perspectives into transport policies and planning processes.
The second half of the event featured an expert panel, with representatives from the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC), Peking University (PKU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the China Association for NGO Cooperation (CANGO) and GIZ East Asia. They exchanged perspectives on gender-responsive approaches in climate policy, sustainable finance, biodiversity conservation, and civil society engagement.
The panel highlighted the importance of strengthening the collection of gender-disaggregated data as a foundation for research and policymaking, promoting career development for women in sectors with underrepresentation, mobilising gender-dedicated climate finance, and strengthening cooperation on designing and implementing gender-responsive and -transformative measures.
The event reflected growing efforts in considering gender perspectives within climate and environmental governance as well as in exploring related cooperation opportunities between domestic and international stakeholders in China. Providing a platform for exchange among international organisations, implementing agencies, research institutions, and civil society helped foster dialogue across institutional boundaries.
The IKI Interface, implemented by the NDC Implementation project, plays an important role in fostering long-term cooperation and trust between China and Germany, ensuring continued progress on climate action and biodiversity preservation. To connect the IKI community in China, the Interface regularly organises exchange formats, such as the annual IKI Interface and IKI Networking workshops. More information about the IKI in China and the active projects can be found here.
