Strategies for gender mainstreaming in climate finance mobilisation in southern Africa

Abstract

This study examines the practice of gender mainstreaming in the context of climate finance mobilisation. It reveals how financial institutions are adopting shifts to organisational strategy, policy, and practice that advance the integration of key aspects of social sciences. This article specifically examines the role played by the Green Climate Fund’s Gender Policy in promoting a shift in the organisational strategies developed by development finance institutions and commercial banks in southern Africa. It reveals how practitioners are grappling with the evolving role of financial intermediaries in promoting a shift towards low-emissions, climate-resilient, and just development. The analysis uncovers foundational components, highlights key lessons, and identifies strategic approaches to institutionalising gender mainstreaming practices. Critically, the research reveals that whilst gender mainstreaming involves multiple practicalities, the financial institutions that have most extensively institutionalised gender mainstreaming practices have done so by recognising its normative basis and have perpetuated changes to organisational values and culture alongside more pedestrian policy amendments. One of the critical aspects of this culture shift is the recognition that transformative social impacts in climate finance are predicated on the design and implementation of projects that account for existing gender-based vulnerabilities whilst also identifying and maximising opportunities for all genders. The study builds on and contributes new knowledge to existing frameworks for understanding gender mainstreaming in relation to multilateral climate finance.