5.1 National level
Mandatory Gender budgeting at state level (IS)
In Iceland, gender budgeting has been mandatory at the state level since 2015. The legislation is directed by the Public Finance Act, and a gender budgeting steering committee led by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs oversees the gender budgeting implementation. Gender experts/representatives within each ministry cooperate with inter-ministerial steering groups that are responsible for implementing gender budgeting within each ministry.
On its website, The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs provides information on and training in gender budgeting, including a short video explainer focusing on gender budgeting in relation to the reduction of pollution in Icelandic with English subtitles.
Advanced programme for gender mainstreaming in government agencies (SE)
The Swedish Gender Equality has launched a programme for gender mainstreaming in government agencies (GMGA+), focusing on developing and implementing a model for systematic knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices in relation to gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting in the public sector. In 2024, the new cohort of government agencies includes a director general for the sectors working with green transitions and environment.
Gender mainstreaming training (FI)
The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare provide training material in gender mainstreaming through the governmental digital learning platform eOppiva. The Ministry also maintains the website Promoting Gender Equality, offering guidance and a checklist for gender mainstreaming.
Inclusion of external gender experts (SE)
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has invited researchers with expertise in climate, environment, gender, and democracy to facilitate open lectures.
Inclusive stakeholder involvement processes (FI)
In relation to making a new national Climate and Energy Strategy, the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment hosted an open public consultation on the interlinkage between gender and climate policies for all interested stakeholders. Subsequently, the national Climate and Energy Strategy was subject to a gender impact assessment carried out by an external consultant.
Draft Strategy for gender mainstreaming the implementation of the Paris Agreement (SE)
In 2021, the Swedish government mandated the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency to formulate a strategy for integrating gender equality into Sweden's implementation of the Paris Agreement. The strategy includes various focus areas such as capacity development, knowledge dissemination, and equal representation in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. The strategy is thus a national translation of the is the UNFCCC GAP. For further info, see chapter 4.3.5.
Project: Gender and consumption (IS)
In 2020–2023, the Icelandic Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resource in collaboration with the Environment Agency of Iceland, the Consumer Agency, the Red Cross, the company Aftur, and Iceland University of the Arts, launched a project focusing on circular economy and textile waste. By integrating gender perspectives into waste prevention measures, the project also sought to promote green employment opportunities, address wage inequality, and enhance working conditions in the textile industry.