This report reviews the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Gender Action Plan (UNFCCC GAP) across the Nordic countries, focusing on Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
This review finds that the Nordic region demonstrates commitment to integrating gender equality perspectives into climate policies, paving the way for a just transition to a green economy. It underscores the significance of institutional mechanisms and supportive structures in promoting gender mainstreaming in climate policies, exemplified by national measures and initiatives such as inter-ministerial gender mainstreaming working groups and coordinators in Sweden, Finland and Iceland, mandatory gender budgeting in Iceland, obligatory gender relevance testing in Denmark, and gender quota legislation Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. Overall, numerous examples of applied gender mainstreaming exist within the realm of climate policy in the Nordic countries, particularly in Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. However, challenges across the Nordic countries persist in fully integrating gender perspectives into climate policies. Gaps and barriers in implementing the UNFCCC GAP are identified to varying extents across all Nordic countries. Common observations include inadequate resource allocation for conducting gender analyses, lack of relevant trainings, and tools available for policy makers, as well as knowledge on the gendered impacts of climate policies and climate change in a Nordic context. Furthermore, there is a need for more systematic monitoring- and reporting mechanisms to support the implementation of the UNFCCC GAP.
Despite these challenges and barriers in implementing the UNFCCC GAP in the Nordic countries, the review overall shows a strong commitment to integrate gender equality perspectives in climate policy and into the green transition. The review also finds that the Nordic Council of Ministers has a significant role in promoting gender mainstreaming in climate policies in the Nordic countries, through political commitments, events, publications, and other knowledge-strengthening activities.