AUTHOR=Heymann Jody , Sprague Aleta , Oduro Abena D. , Grzesik-Mourad Laurel 
  
TITLE=Advancing Climate Mitigation, Adaptation, and Equity Simultaneously: The Transformative Potential of Investments in Gender Equality
  
JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews
  
VOLUME=Volume 47 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2026.1607423
  
DOI=10.3389/phrs.2026.1607423
  
ISSN=2107-6952
  
ABSTRACT=BackgroundClimate change negotiations often stall because of debates about equity. The SDGs affirm all countries’ responsibilities to act on climate and high-income countries’ initial $100 billion annual financing commitment; the SDGs also affirm fundamental human rights that are foundational to both equality and a strong economy. Nevertheless, climate investments historically have neglected people-centered climate solutions that would powerfully advance these interconnected goals.AnalysisRealizing girls’ equal rights in education, women’s equal rights at work, and freedom from gender-based violence would fulfill fundamental human rights while markedly accelerating climate mitigation and adaptation. Mechanisms include increased reproductive autonomy, higher adoption of sustainable fuels and regenerative agriculture, increased resilience to climate disasters, and greater gender parity in leadership.Policy OptionsA variety of options are available for countries to invest in gender equality simultaneously with nature- and energy-based solutions. These include carbon markets, debt-for-equity swaps, and existing UNFCCC financing mechanisms. The climate impacts of people-centered solutions are estimable.ConclusionSuccessfully addressing climate will require investments in gender equality. Bilateral and multilateral bodies can build on existing data to achieve this through a variety of climate mechanisms.