Climate change does not affect everyone in the same way. It not only depends on where you live, but it can also make a difference whether you are a man or a woman. Research cited by the United Nations shows how it can affect them differently. One example given is for Bangladesh when the death rate for women was five times higher than for men following the 1991 cyclone and flood. During the 2003 heatwave in Europe more women than men died. Research also found that women and children are 14 more likely to die in a disaster than men.

MEPs adopted a report on gender and climate justice on 16 January, calling on the EU institutions to bear the different impact in mind when creating new legislation.

Report author Linnéa Engström, a Swedish member of the Greens/EFA group, pointed out the importance of taking gender differences into account: “Women are many times more likely to die than men during natural disasters.”

In her report Engström said that gender equality could serve as a catalyst for sustainable development and that women should be fully included in policymaking on these issues.

“Women are not only victims," she said. "As they often farm the land, manage water supplies and energy use they can, when empowered be effective actors of change in developing mitigation and adaptation strategies within their communities."