To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, ahead of COP26, to detail any discussions he has had with his UK counterparts on the contribution climate change makes to gender inequality.

In advance of COP26 I have been participating in a COP26 Devolved Administrations Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) which is chaired by the COP26 President elect Alok Sharma MP.

At the most recent meeting of this group, which took place on 15 September 2021, an over-arching discussion took place on planned events for inclusion in the draft COP26 conference programme which the UK Government is seeking to finalise.

Of particular relevance to your question are specific events / activities planned to take place under the ‘Gender’ theme on Tuesday 9th November 2021. This theme focus on progressing gender equality and the full and meaningful participation of women and girls in climate action with particular events planned to cover the following:

A call to action to increase commitments on gender quality on climate action;

Women’s and girls’ experiences, needs and priorities in relation to climate change;

Delivering a gender-sensitive transition to Net Zero;

Monitoring and reporting to support the implementation of gender responsive climate action; and

Girls’ education and climate action.