UNFCCC GAP 3 Submission
Transforming masculinities for climate justice
A new submission to the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan (GAP 3) process puts forward timely and urgent recommendations for transforming patriarchal masculinities in the context of the climate crisis.
Developed by MenEngage Alliance’s working group on climate justice, the submission highlights how harmful gender norms — especially patriarchal masculinities — underpin both environmental destruction and resistance to climate action. The submission calls for a stronger focus on engaging men and boys as part of transformative, feminist-informed climate action – addressing the root causes of gender inequality and environmental harm.
WECF was proud to support the drafting of this submission, which aligns with our commitment to intersectional, gender-just climate policies.
The recommendations include concrete actions and indicators on transforming patriarchal masculinities, ensuring accountability in work with men and boys, and strengthening information integrity in the face of AI-fuelled disinformation targeting feminist and environmental defenders.
Among the proposed activities are:
- Trainings for negotiators on masculinities and climate,
- High-level segments on accountable engagement of men and boys,
- Mechanisms to tackle gendered climate disinformation.
- Direct funding of feminist, youth, and Indigenous-led climate organisations – including those working with men and boys through a gender-transformative lens.
These recommendations reflect a growing recognition: dismantling patriarchal power structures is essential for climate justice. We hope they are taken up in the next iteration of the Gender Action Plan.
