Gender Inequality, State Fragility and Climate Vulnerability through an Indicators Framework: Examining Triple-Nexus Prevalence for Improved Sustainable Development Action

Abstract:

Across countries, gender inequality, state fragility, and climate vulnerability present challenges to the well-being of communities and the ecosystems upon which they depend. While much research exists connecting pairs of these issues, little attention has been devoted to the intersection of these three issues, nor how this “triple nexus” could be used toward more effective sustainable development decision-making and programming.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, with the United States Agency for International Development, conducted a study to explore this “triple nexus,” to understand links among the issues and how and where those links are prevalent globally. The study was not done to determine causality, but to identify complementary context-specific data to illuminate links and ways forward. An indicators framework was developed to conceptualize the prevalence of the triple nexus using 27 quantitative country-level indicators. The data were normalized, scaled and aggregated to produce a composite score for each country. To create a map of the triple nexus, tabular data for each country was aligned with a global vector layer of countries sourced from Natural Earth and then joined to spatial data in ArcGIS ArcMAP 10.3.1.

Findings show that the triple nexus affects each selected country to some degree. Additionally, the scores for each component of the nexus are significantly positively correlated with one another. Countries that score relatively higher in one issue area tend to score relatively higher in the other issue areas, demonstrating that countries more vulnerable to climate change and state fragility likely also have higher gender inequality.

Unsurprisingly, underlying causes of the triple nexus are highly complex and context-specific. This study reinforces the need for integrated gender-responsive approaches. Opportunities and recommendations from the study include, among others, pursuing research questions for additional knowledge and capacity building, and incorporating the interlinkages of triple nexus issues in relevant policy development and implementation. Empowering women and striving toward gender equality contributes to a more effective, equitable and sustainable way to support climate resilience, adaptive capacity, and effective, legitimate states.