Gender definition dispute threatens to derail women’s climate action at cop30 summit

A contentious debate over how to define “gender” is threatening to overshadow critical climate negotiations at the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil, potentially undermining efforts to address gender inequality in climate action.

Conservative nations are pushing to redefine “gender” as strictly “biological sex” in official UN climate documents, representing a significant shift from language that has been used in international climate agreements for over a decade. This proposed change stems from concerns that the current broader definition of gender could include transgender and non-binary individuals in climate programs specifically designed to support women and address gender-based inequalities in climate impacts.

The dispute centers around a major international plan aimed at ensuring climate action effectively addresses gender inequality and empowers women in climate resilience and adaptation efforts. Women and marginalized gender communities are disproportionately affected by climate change, facing greater risks from extreme weather events and having less access to resources for adaptation and recovery.

Environmental and human rights advocates warn that narrowing the definition would represent a dangerous backslide in UN climate policy, potentially excluding vulnerable communities from crucial climate support programs. The disagreement highlights how social and political divisions can complicate international cooperation on environmental issues, even when the primary focus should be on urgent climate action. As delegates prepare for COP30, negotiators will need to navigate this divisive issue while maintaining momentum on critical climate commitments and ensuring that climate solutions remain inclusive and equitable for all affected communities.