Dear Colleagues,

Gender equality and inclusion are of growing importance and focus in many sectors, including education, research, business, and governance. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is envisaging building peaceful, resilient, equitable, and inclusive societies. Sustainable development implies constant evolutionary and adaptive change, while gender equality is a prerequisite to this. Gender equality is a critical goal because its implementation can foster positive cascading effects on the achievement of all SDGs, and it is directly connected to the nexus of education-sustainability. In terms of climate change-based disasters, the transition towards socio-ecological resilience should be aligned with the fundamental aspect of gender equality. Women are the victims of climate change disasters and gender equality is another parameter that must be considered in climate-based resilience. Vulnerabilities and gender inequality can impede the effectiveness and sustainability of climate change responses. Increasing gender equality has a positive impact on productivity, boosts problem-solving, and increases innovation, all of which are essential outcomes for tackling the great challenges we are facing, from health to food security, from climate change to sustainable communities. Women’s greater participation would not only be a social policy but would also enhance sustainability, resilience, and democracy. Policy planning should integrate natural and social capitals, ethics, and values, as agencies towards the acceleration of the fundamental changes for a sustainable and resilient life.

This Special Issue comprises papers that explore the multifaceted dimensions of gender equality in relation to sustainability and resilience to climate change hazards. Through a series of papers, it explores promising approaches for transforming higher education, research, leadership, policy making, and institutions towards gender equality. Gender equality is a wicked problem interconnected with overlapping complexities inherent in our society that create symbiotic relationships that connect issues to one another. Therefore, gender equality is interconnected with the global challenges of climate change, health, security of food, water, waste, energy, and biodiversity. Vulnerabilities and gender inequality can impede the effectiveness and sustainability of climate change responses. Increasing gender equality has a positive impact on productivity, boosts problem-solving and increases innovation, and creates sustainable and inclusive communities. Women’s greater participation and empowerment would enhance sustainability, resilience, and democracy. Policy planning should integrate natural and social capitals, ethics, and values, as agencies towards the acceleration of the fundamental changes for a sustainable and resilient life.  The purpose of the Special Issue is to contribute responding to climate change (mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and financing) by including a gender lens and arguing that gender be horizontally integrated into climate change response efforts.

Prof. Dr. Anastasia Zabaniotou
Prof. Paola Rizzi
Prof. Dr. Khaled A. Al-Sahili
Dr. Vasiliki Skoulou
Ms. Maria Cristina Marolda
Guest Editors

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• Gender Equality
• Climate Change
• Resilience, Hazards
• Vulnerability
• Policies
• Education
• Research