Specific objective vii. Enhancing the protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Key questions for analysing the environmental impact on biodiversity and landscape

  • Does the policy affect natural capital and ecosystem services?
  • Does the policy affect the scenic value of the protected landscape?

Gender considerations

Ecosystem services are gendered[1] by their social construction and the importance of the social mechanisms that underpin the relationships between people and nature. Women play essential roles in using and managing biodiversity and natural resources in landscapes, forests and oceans across the globe.[2]

How women and men benefit from ecosystems depends on gendered knowledge systems, gendered behavioural expectations, gendered access to resources, and gendered institutions. Meanwhile, gender roles include different responsibilities, priorities, decision-making powers and knowledge, which affect how women and men manage and protect biological resources.

  • To what extent do women and men differ in their dependence on natural resources?
  • Who has access to natural resources and decides on their management and conservation?
  • Will women and men benefit equally from the ecosystem services affected? How will these benefits for women and men be sustained over time?
  • Who will use and benefit from green infrastructure in urban areas? Will women and men use this infrastructure in the same ways? Will women and men benefit equally?
  • Will both women and men participate in any possible consultations that might be held regarding the management of natural resources?

Questions about impact of intervention on water and air quality with gender considerations

Key questions for analysing the environmental impact on water and air quality

  • Does the policy influence emissions of harmful air pollutants that might lead to deterioration in the environment, affect human health, and damage buildings and cultural heritage?

Gender considerations

With regard to air quality and outdoor air pollution, differences between women’s and men's exposure or vulnerability can also be seen. Air pollution data from France, Spain and Sweden show that women report ailments in the form of allergies and respiratory or skin hypersensitivity to a greater extent than men, with older women being at greater risk.[3]

Occupational patterns may also be an important factor. In the OECD, men suffer higher mortality rates from ambient and occupational air pollution and occupational carcinogens, while women suffer more from residential particulate matter.[4]

  • Does the policy consider land use and urbanisation, housing conditions and work conditions, which are important drivers of inequalities in air pollution exposure?
  • Does the policy address gender differences in occupational patterns and health issues related to air pollution?
  • Does the policy propose relevant air quality solutions? Will women and men benefit equally from air quality measures?
  • Will both women and men participate in any possible consultations regarding air quality that might be held?

Questions about impact of intervention on pollution, toxicity and environmental risks and human health with gender considerations

Key questions for analysing the environmental impact on pollution, toxicity and environmental risks and human health

  • Does the policy affect the likelihood or prevention of fire, explosions, breakdowns, accidents and accidental emissions?
  • Does it affect the risk of unauthorised or unintentional release or proliferation of organisms or products that might have an environmental impact (e.g. invasive species)?
  • Is the product toxic for human health? Does it accumulate in the body mass?

Gender considerations

Environmental determinants of health overlap with gender and social factors, with specific consequences for women. Two main dimensions must be considered: exposure and sensitivity (related to biological or social factors).

Differences can exist between women and men in terms of exposure to pollution and hazardous chemicals, linked to consumption habits, physiological differences and gaps in socioeconomic backgrounds and professional occupations.[5][6]

Women absorb and store environmental chemicals and metals from air, water, food and consumer products in different ways from men,[7] with potential different lifelong health consequences. Some women and men are more exposed due to their socioeconomic circumstances and types of work.[8]

  • Are gender-specific exposure patterns to pollution, toxicity and environmental risks such as occupational exposure, domestic exposure and proximity to polluted areas, being identified and addressed?
  • Are the impacts on the health of women and men that result from pollution or toxicity due to biological factors or social roles considered separately?
  • Will both women and men participate in any possible consultations that might be held regarding pollution?