Intersectional Feminist Analysis of Italy’s National Adaptation Plan: Addressing Gendered Climate Vulnerabilities and Regional Disparities

Climate change exacerbates socio-economic inequalities, disproportionately impacting vulnerable groups, particularly women. These gendered vulnerabilities stem from structural inequalities that limit women’s access to resources, decision-making, and adaptive capacities. International frameworks such as the UNFCCC's Gender Action Plan highlight the necessity of gender-responsive approaches to climate adaptation. However, national and municipal climate strategies often fail to fully integrate intersectional perspectives. This study critically examines Italy’s National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change (PNACC) through an intersectional feminist lens, focusing on gendered climate vulnerabilities and regional disparities. While National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) globally aim to enhance resilience, socio-economic, cultural, and structural challenges often hinder their effectiveness. Italy’s PNACC seeks to address regional imbalances; however, northern regions like Emilia-Romagna benefit from stronger economic and infrastructural support compared to southern regions such as Calabria, which face socio-economic challenges and elevated environmental risks. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, integrating policy discourse analysis, legislative review, and socio-economic data assessment to evaluate gender equity within PNACC. By examining adaptation strategies at the municipal level, the study explores how gender-sensitive measures are implemented in different socio-economic and geographical contexts. The comparative analysis of adaptation efforts in Bologna (a well-resourced northern city) and Reggio Calabria (a southern city with economic constraints) reveals stark contrasts in resilience and resource accessibility. Northern regions often leverage community-driven adaptation strategies for stronger resilience, whereas southern regions encounter persistent barriers, including inadequate legal enforcement, unequal resource distribution, and limited participatory governance. These structural disparities underscore the need for tailored, inclusive strategies that address regional vulnerabilities. Feminist political ecology provides a critical lens through which to assess the interplay of gender, environment, and governance. This framework challenges the assumption that adaptation policies are neutral, instead highlighting the role of power dynamics and social hierarchies in shaping climate resilience. By applying this perspective, the study investigates whether Italy’s adaptation policies adequately consider gendered dimensions and how participatory governance can enhance equity. The findings indicate that while PNACC outlines broad strategies for addressing climate risks, its operationalization at the local level remains fragmented, with gender-responsive policies varying significantly between municipalities. Legal structures, economic capacity, and political will play crucial roles in determining whether adaptation measures actively reduce or inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities. To assess gender inclusivity in climate adaptation policies, this study considers Sweden’s National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) as a benchmark. Sweden’s approach is widely recognized for integrating gender perspectives into climate governance, prioritizing participatory governance and environmental equity. While Italy’s adaptation policies primarily function at the regional level, Sweden’s NAS operates predominantly at the municipal level, offering a comparative perspective on decentralization and inclusivity in adaptation measures. By referencing Sweden’s framework as a point of comparison, this research critically evaluates the extent to which PNACC incorporates gender-sensitive strategies and where improvements can be made. Ultimately, this research calls for a reevaluation of Italy’s adaptation policies, emphasizing strengthened legal accountability, equitable resource allocation, and participatory governance approaches that prioritize gender equity. By situating these recommendations within global discussions on gender and climate justice, the study underscores the importance of socially grounded, context-sensitive adaptation measures for sustainable resilience. Addressing climate adaptation through an intersectional lens ensures that policies are not only effective but also just, promoting climate resilience for all communities.