6. Best practices

This chapter presents an overview of best practice examples for implementing the UNFCCC GAP in the Nordic countries on national and local levels. The overview consists of examples already presented throughout the review, as well as additional best practice cases encountered as part of the assessment process.

6.1 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. For further details, see the Iceland-section chapter 4.4.2.

Advanced programme for gender mainstreaming in government agencies (SE)

The Swedish Gender Equality has launched a new 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.

Swedish Gender Equality Agency (2020.) Gender mainstreaming in government agencies.

In 2024, the new cohort of government agencies includes a director general for the sectors working with green transitions and environment. See chapter 4.3.5 for further description.

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.

eOppiva, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Institute of Health and Welfare (2020). Gender equality and equality – Why and How?

The Ministry also maintains the website Promoting Gender Equality, offering guidance and a checklist for gender mainstreaming.

Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (n.d.). Equality checklist for authorities

See chapter 4.2.3 for further information.

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. For further information, see section in sub-chapter 4.1.3.

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.

Lander Svendsen, N., Weber, K. et al (2022). How climate policies impact gender and vice versa in a Nordic context

Subsequently, the national Climate and Energy Strategy was subject to a gender impact assessment carried out by an external consultant. For further info, see chapter 4.4.1.

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.

Icelandic Prime Minister’s Office (2019). Proposal for Parliamentary Resolution on a Gender Equality Action Programme for the period of 2020–2023

6.2 Local and municipal level

Gender budgeting (IS)

Reykjavík City has implemented gender budgeting across all departments. Gender budgeting as well as all gender mainstreaming work is facilitated by a Gender Budgeting Project Manager. Written instructions and video guides for Gender Budgeting as well as gender analyses are available online.

Reykjavík City (n.d.). Gender Budgeting

All new projects are subjected to a gender analysis carried out by City staff. See chapter 4.4.3 for further details.

Gender equality in climate strategy (SE)

Umeå municipality has formulated a gender equality goal in their “Climate contract”.

Umeå Municipality (2022), Climate contract 2030 Between the municipality of Umeå and the authorities The Energy Agency, Vinnova, Formas, the Agency for Growth, the Swedish Transport Agency, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and Viable Cities

This contract is developed as part of the municipality’s participation in the Viable Cities Network.

Viable Cities (2024). Together for climate-neutral cities

Collaboration on increased gender balance in the STEM fields (DK)

Region Midtjylland has initiated efforts targeting the gender imbalance in specifically the care sector and the STEM fields.

Region Central Jutland (2021), Strategy for sustainability 2030

The aim of the initiative is to enhance diversity and bolster the workforce and is thus not explicitly linked to promoting gender equality in the green transition. However, engagement in STEM education and professional environments inherently leads to a greater number of women influencing green transition initiatives and projects. The initiative involves collaborating with educational institutions to encourage and support underrepresented genders to pursue professions within this field. The set goal is a minimum representation of 10% women.

Iceland School of Energy (IS)

Iceland School of Energy (ISE) at Reykjavik University has for a decade been committed to countering the gender imbalance in their educational programmes. One initiative is the Women in Energy Scholarship, which supports female students by covering one-third of the tuition for master’s programs.

Iceland School of Energy, Reykjavik University (n.d.).

ISE has been very successive in countering the gender imbalance, with a 66% of female enrolments in 2023, compared to 34% in 2018.

Iceland School of Energy, Reykjavik University (2023). Iceland's Women's Strike: Empowering Energy Equality.

Gender analyses as part of bicycle strategy process (NO)

Oslo municipality has carried out a gender analyses as part of their bicycle strategy process. As a result of that analyses, gender dimensions are integrated into Oslo Municipality’s Oslo bicycle strategy 2015-2025.

Oslo Municipality (2014), Oslo bicycle strategy 2015 – 2025

Collaboration with the University, including students conducting gender analyses (IS)

The Government Offices of Iceland and the City of Reykjavík have an agreement with the University of Iceland about students carrying out projects and theses on gender mainstreaming- and budgeting in relation to national and local policies and initiatives. The initiative is led by Dr. Finnborg Salome Steinþórsdóttir since 2016. See chapter 4.4.1 for further details.

Knowledge hub on climate and gender (IS)

The City of Reykjavík has launched a Knowledge Hub on Climate Change.

Reykjavík City (n.d.). Climate Change Knowledge Hub

The Knowledge Hub offers knowledge on gendered aspects of climate change and climate policies, tools, and best practices from across the Nordics, and the purpose is to render this information accessible to local communities, government authorities, and public institutions in the policy development and planning towards just, green transition. See chapter 4.1.3 for further details.

6.3 Civil society

Advocacy and monitoring of gender mainstreaming the green transition (DK + NO)

Both KVINFO (DK), Kilden Genderresearch (NO) and CONCORD (SE) have published numerous papers and reports on gender equality in the green transition and in climate policy making. Furthermore, these organisations have hosted events, seminars and conferences inviting policy makers and ministers from relevant ministries.

KVINFO has reviewed the gender equality assessments of legislative proposals in all Danish ministries, including Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Utilities and the Ministry of Environment and Food. This is an effective strategy in reminding the government of its responsibility as well as the importance of gender mainstreaming in climate policies.

Especially in countries where gender mainstreaming is less institutionalised, pressure from the civil society is important in pushing the agenda. For further info, see chapter 4.1.5.