Más allá de la Burocracia: Lograr que el Financiamiento Climático sea Justo en términos de Género

As global debates on climate finance intensify ahead of COP28, a pertinent call for “gender-just climate finance” stands out. More than ever, there is an emphasis on  the fact that the appeal is not simply about funds; It is a demand for true accessibility for grassroots women’s organizations. However, in the ever-evolving landscape of global climate negotiations around climate finance, frontline voices, especially those from grassroots organizations and communities directly affected by climate change, are often overshadowed by the bureaucratic maze. . Amid this challenging context, the Casa Socio-Environmental Fund has emerged as an important advocate for localized environmental action and financing in South America.

Established in 2005, the Casa Socio-Environmental Fund has diligently woven a tapestry of environmental conservation, sustainability, democracy, socio-environmental rights and social justice. Representing a beacon of hope and action, they proudly shared: «We were born to generate links in the middle of a powerful network of change. We are here to unite local leaders and large global foundations.» In essence, the organization’s mission is broad: to positively impact diverse territories by investing in those who protect them, closing the gap between philanthropic organizations and grassroots communities. They have developed a unique methodology that prioritizes the local dynamics of the territories, ensuring that the funds destined for change really reach the hands that can shape the future.

With COP28 on the horizon, the objectives of the Casa Fund are clearly defined. Its goal is to channel climate finance into mechanisms that truly resonate with the realities on the ground. The organization intends to highlight the historically complex access that communities in the Global South have to financing resources. Emphasizing their purpose, they mentioned: «During COP28, we seek to present the funding opportunities already agreed, the barriers encountered and the optimal mechanisms to ensure that these crucial resources reach local communities . «

Reflecting on his past engagements with the COP, Casa’s journey has been a combination of valuable insights and tangible frustrations. While the opportunity to connect with other civil society organizations and understand the intricate negotiation process has been enriching, the slow pace of commitments and subsequent delivery has often left them wanting to take more decisive action. “In Copenhagen, in 2009, an allocation of 100 billion dollars in annual contributions was agreed to increase actions in several countries. At COP26 in Glasgow, commitments were announced to allocate resources for climate action with emphasis on the Global Forest Financing Commitment – ​​GFFP (for its acronym in Spanish), with approximately 12 billion dollars. Country Parties also indicated new financial commitments to the Adaptation Fund (more than $350 million) and the Least Developed Countries Fund, totaling $600 billion, to help vulnerable communities strengthen their resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change. At COP27, a Loss and Damage Fund was created. These relevant mechanisms, however, are not easily accessible to communities in the Global South,” lamented Casa members . «It is also explicitly recognized that local and indigenous communities face many difficulties in accessing financial support, and only a very small fraction of these funds reach these communities directly.»

However, the Casa Fund ‘s resilience is reflected in its continued efforts to close the gap between grand international policies and pressing local realities. An important part of this message highlights the primary role  in the global climate discourse of indigenous communities, especially women and youth. In 2022, Casa proudly shared that around 73% of its donation budget went directly to these communities . They noted that «these communities play a crucial role in protecting forests and ecosystems ,» and emphasized the need for more meaningful representation in global dialogues. They also underline the importance of strong financial support for environmental defenders, believing in a gradual but determined approach to align global climate dialogues with grassroots imperatives: “It is imperative that environmental defenders receive financial support and strengthen their skills and abilities to continue with their work to defend their rights in a protected, safe and efficient manner.”

What does the broader conversation about gender-just climate finance mean in this context? We present a perspective:

• Transparency, accessibility and gender justice must become the pillars of climate finance. It is about redefining the very foundations of climate finance.
• For a genuine transformation of the global economic fabric, it is imperative to move from profit-driven capitalist ideologies to a prioritization of people over profits.
• Recognizing and acting on the unique ideas of grassroots women is essential. They provide solutions based on lived experiences, not theories.
• The idea is not to simply allocate resources but to actively elevate the voices of grassroots women, empowering them with the tools they need for impactful climate resilience.
• True ecosystem restoration involves more than just planting trees. It involves reshaping food systems, safeguarding the rights of communities and recognizing the fundamental role of women in these processes.

The time to act is now. As the limitations of global forums like COP28 become increasingly apparent, Casa is unfazed. Fondo C asa, in its dedication to the cause, is preparing to actively participate in COP28, ensuring that issues such as accessibility to climate finance for grassroots communities are front and center. By influencing the philanthropic ecosystem, they aim to support systemic change, always striving to ensure resources reach the forefront of planetary defense.

The message is clear: to find transformative solutions to the climate crisis, it is essential to bypass bureaucracy and invest directly in grassroots communities. It is time for the world to heed this call and prioritize gender-just climate finance, not as an afterthought but as an essential solution. Only then can the narrative move from mere discussions to real and impactful actions.

–

The Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA) will be present at COP28 with a delegation between November 30 and December 12, 2023. Join us at our side event, “Gender Just Climate Policy & Finance: From Barriers to Actionable Solutions,” which will take place on Sunday, December 3, where we delve into central topics related to this article. For collaboration opportunities and to learn more, please contact Noemi Grütter, GAGGA Promotion and Collaborations Co-Coordinator: n.grutter@fondocentroamericano.org . For additional information about this article and the work of Fundo Casa Socioambiental, and to connect directly, please contact the Fundo de Casa team at direcao@casa.org.br .

Esta historia y las acciones de GAGGA en la COP28 cuentan con el apoyo de Global Affairs Canada y el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de Holanda. Su aporte ha sido fundamental en los esfuerzos de GAGGA para resaltar cuestiones y voces críticas en la COP28.