Gender sensitive responses to climate change in Nigeria: the role of multinationals’ corporate social responsibility in oil host communities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) on gender-sensitive responses to climate change in oil host communities in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a survey research technique aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 1,200 rural women were sampled across the Niger Delta region. Findings The results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate a significant relationship between GMoU model and women, gender and climate change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Practical implications This implies that CSR of a multinational oil companies is a critical factor in the need for gender-sensitive responses to the effect of climate change. Social implications It suggests that, for adaptation to climate change effects, understanding gender dimensions and taking gender responsive steps be incorporated into GMoU policies and action plans of multinational enterprises. Originality/value This research contributes to gender debate in climate change from a CSR perspective in developing countries and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.