Step-by-Step Guidance on Climate Integration in Health and Gender Portfolios

For both funders and implementing organizations, it is essential to incorporate a climate lens into health and gender-focused funding strategies in order to ensure investments are effective and responsive. 

While there is no universal checklist to do this, we have outlined five critical steps to guide your investment strategy and/or programmatic approach:

Step 01  Assess Climate Risks

Evaluate how climate change impacts your existing portfolio and partner communities, focusing on risks to health and SRHR outcomes and understanding the adaptive capacity of affected populations.

Step 02  Identify and Build Cross-Sectoral Partnerships

Connect with climate-focused stakeholders to explore opportunities for advancing health and gender goals within climate adaptation agendas and budgets.

Step 03  Learn and Pilot

Refine your approach by assessing current strategies, adapting to climate risks and experimenting with integrated climate-SRHR investments and programs.

Step 04  Measure and Adjust

Track relevant climate resilience metrics, adjust strategies based on pilot results, and use findings to inform further investments and programming.

Step 05  Refine Portfolio Strategy

Continuously improve your integrated approach and seek opportunities for strategic influence across sectors.

Following these steps will help you navigate the complexities of integrating climate change, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and gender equality initiatives.