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Climate change gets gender perspective

23 Outubro 2008

Women transport workers this week put a gender slant on the issue of climate change.

Over 23 women transport workers representing 20 countries attended the ITF women’s committee meeting on 20 and 21 October in London, UK, where they discussed measures that needed to be taken to establish a comprehensive climate change and transport policy. This could then be adopted at the ITF’s 2010 congress. Delegates heard how there was now a scientific consensus that there was a 90 per cent likelihood that global warming was caused by human generated greenhouse gases, with industrialised countries being responsible for 45 per cent of all emissions. As a result it was vital, participants decided, that transport workers address the issue of the environment.

The workers agreed that women could make a considerable contribution to the climate change debate, considering their pivotal role as workers and users of transport and their levels of awareness of the issue. Women’s role in challenging the status quo, which was bringing about global warming, was crucial, they agreed. More training on climate change could help facilitate this important role. However, participants were also aware that environmental measures could lead to job losses, which may disproportionately affect women.

Alana Dave, ITF Education Officer, who presented a paper on the subject, said: “We propose to carry out research to inform future climate change policies. Planning a sustainable transport policy is a challenge. We acknowledge that women are often among the most vulnerable of the world’s poor and any future policy must address women’s transport needs.”

The meeting also welcomed Alison McGarry as the new ITF Women’s Coordinator. She will take over responsibility for women’s work from Sarah Finke on 1 November.

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