This report assesses the environmental impact of a new DFID multilateral research programme, Women’s Economic Empowerment and Growth in Low Income Countries (WEEG). It also looks at how climate change could affect the success of the WEEG programme. The WEEG research programme will help generate and inform policies that promote women’s contribution to economic growth. This will be accomplished using conventional research tools and deductive processes that do not present risks to climate or environment.
There is stronger evidence that barriers to women’s economic participation and productivity may be stifling opportunities for growth. Nevertheless, uptake of policies that progress growth through improved economic opportunities for women could harbour indirect risks of unwanted impacts on natural resources if not responsibly managed.
Key Findings:
- Carbon/climate footprints can be mitigated and managed, placing an emphasis on offsets, conferencing and office housekeeping.
- Relevant emission reduction strategies of the UN could be applied to reduce the operational impacts of all WEEG collaborators.
- If researchers are to engage with policy makers and planners to enhance knowledge and uptake of gender sensitive policy in relation to growth, the principles of sustainable development can be embedded into emerging WEEG policies and programmes.
Recommendations:
- Bidders should address cross-cutting themes, such as climate and environment impacts of their proposed activities; this should be considered in the evaluation criteria. Carbon calculation tools could also be provided to bidders as a guide.
- As long as WEEG policies and future programmes encompass environment and climate issues in relation to growth, agricultural production and other enterprises that exploit natural resources should not be compromised.
