This document reviews literature to provide a background for the CDKN research project "Gender equality and Climate Compatible Development- Drivers and challenges to people’s empowerment". The project addresses major knowledge gaps in relation to the gender dimension of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and development. Its aim is to strengthen the evidence base of gender-sensitive approaches to climate compatible development (CCD). The project will explore to what extent gender-sensitive approaches contribute to greater gender equality and more effective CCD. It will therefore help to create more nuanced gender analysis of CCD projects, provide compelling evidence of the benefits of gender-sensitive approaches to CCD and translate usable insights for policy and practice while supporting people’s empowerment.