Ocassional papers

Gender equality and women’s leadership as an urgent short-term priority to accelerate transformative climate action [DRAFT]
Women’s Climate Congress discussion starter prepared for discussion at Impact X Climate Summit, Sydney 22-23 April 2024

Summit aims (from program)

‘A collaborative two-day agenda will provide an opportunity for Australia and the Pacific region to demonstrate bold commitment to achieve 2030 goals and accelerated implementation on net zero, nature positive plans.’

‘Impact X brings together leaders from business, government, finance and community groups to accelerate transformation for climate and nature and create a better future for all.’

We ask ‘Is having women in the room enough?’ 

Women may be in the room but what is often missing from the climate action agenda is any representation/discussion of the women’s movement and gender equality per se:  what knowledge and experience women bring, what barriers there are to their full and equal participation in high-level decision making and how to overcome them, and the disproportionate impact that climate change has on women and girls.

Articles and news items

Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
This book describes a new economic paradigm that values the environment, unpaid work and other services not taken into account in current economic thinking. See a short introductory video. And in Europe, Amsterdam is using doughnut economics to frame its post virus recovery plan – it will be interesting to see how they go.

This article gives some further ideas on how to change the way we think about economics:
5 Economists Redefining ... Everything. Oh yes, And They're Women

Other resources
'Greta' - A response in song and dance to Greta Thunberg's famous speech to the UN 2019. Song composed in Sept 2019 and performed by Dianna Nixon on this recording. Recorded by Stephen Lindsay, Old Binda Road Studios, Crookwell, NSW, on August 9 2020. Film shot by Miguel Gallagher (cinematographer/editor) in Canberra, ACT (September 2020). This video was screened at four sessions of this year’s Canberra Short Film Festival, and has been utilised in numerous online campaigns. The makers have expressed the wish for it to be used widely.

Women's Web - a wonderful collection historical information and writing documented by our member Geraldine Robertson about the women's movement in Australia during and since WW1. A great read and encouragement for our work today. 'We stopped conscription in WW1 and we will stop coal now' is a script prepared by Geraldine for reading at a workshop to encourage discussion about how we can act together for climate action today.

'Getting the conversation started': A succinct guide to initiating climate change conversations with friends and family, created by Australian climate action group, Together We Can. The guide covers the importance of asking open questions, actively listening, inviting your conversation partner to take action, and centring your climate change conversations around hope.

‘100 Climate Conversations’: Described as Australia’s most ambitious climate-focused cultural project, 100 Climate Conversations showcases 100 visionary Australians taking action to respond to the most critical issue of our time, climate change. In conversations hosted by some our nation’s most respected journalists, each guest offers an inspired narrative of invention, community and resilience.