As global leaders and governments maneuver their way through the global issue of climate change, we find one vital group underrepresented among the dialogue around climate-related policies and decision-making tables: Women.
When examining the groups most affected by climate change, women are among the most vulnerable for various reasons. According to a report published by UN Women during COP28, climate change may push up to158 million more women and girls into poverty and cause 236 million more to face food insecurity by 2050.
Why Women Matter and Their Contributions
It is vital to have women as part of the dialogue and decision-making process promoting climate action as they offer a much-needed perspective. They often bear a highly disproportionate burden from the impacts of climate change due to prevailing socio-economic inequities. Yet, women have a greater understanding of community resilience and natural resource management which has been refined through traditional wisdom and personal experience. By using these insights, women can provide a new perspective on protecting vulnerable groups and come up with creative ideas that could advance successful climate measures.
Despite being underrepresented, women have had an active and rising role in claiming their space within the climate action discourse and decision-making process.
Leaders
There is evidence that the higher the share of women in parliament, the more likely the country is to sign international agreements relating to the environment or promote more sustainable and environment friendly policies and actions. A paper published in the Kybernetes journal in 2024 on CO2 emissions in the United States concluded that states led by female governors consistently experience lower CO2 emissions than those led by male governors, demonstrating that female political leadership is associated with lower CO2 emissions, which highlights the potential of female leadership to promote environmental sustainability. In fact, a study on the top 100 global energy leaders reveals the significant impact of women’s leadership on enhancing and promoting carbon disclosure in the energy sector.
The presence of women in political decision-making leads to more ambitious climate goals and policies. Most women leaders usually call for abroad-based approach to addressing climate issues, which is favorable to all members of society. For instance, a study of European Parliament legislators found that, while both male and female legislators showed similar concern for the environment, women were more likely to support environmental legislation, even when accounting for political ideology and nationality. Additionally, a review of interventions in the UK House of Commons and the US House of Representatives revealed that women from all political parties spent more time addressing environment-related topics than their male counterparts.
Grassroots Contributors
Women at the community level initiate and implement sustainable practices and innovations that are building blocks of both resilience and sustainable living. In Kenya, the Green Belt Movement engaged groups of women in planting thousands of trees to fight deforestation and aimed to capture 350,000 tons of carbon dioxide, restore soil lost to erosion, and support regular rainfall essential to Kenya’s farmers and hydro-electric powerplants. This initiative provided income for these women and empowered them to participate in climate action.
Businesswomen Operating Sustainably
Research shows a direct link between a company's green credentials and its boardroom diversity. Women in leadership roles are driving forces behind better environmental, social, and governance (ESG) results, prioritizing climate action, leading to stronger carbon disclosure and eco-friendly strategies. They excel at communicating with diverse groups, ensuring everyone's voice is heard for better social responsibility.
Innovative Problem Solvers
Women's involvement in fighting climate change could lead to more creative ideas in energy conservation, agriculture, and lowering carbon footprints. In Rwanda, for instance, women have been trained on innovative technologies to convert organic waste into cooking gas and bio-fertilizer. The cooking gas produced from organic waste offers a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional cooking methods, reducing indoor air pollution and promoting healthier living conditions for families.
An Egyptian Success Story: Women’s Critical Role in the Waste Management Value Chain
Waste collection in Egypt is predominantly managed by the informal sector. When examined more closely, one would find that women play a pivotal role in this sector as the main waste sorters. Women are the ones who sift the waste after it is collected and sort it by category, making sure that the majority is recycled. Ensuring that they are safe and get adequate financial compensation is vital for the sustainable continuity of their role as part of the waste management value chain.
This is one of the goals of DORNA, a socially and environmentally responsible value chain system designed by CID Consulting in partnership with Nestle, Pepsio and Al Ahram Beverages Company. DORNA, which was launched in 2018, promotes the collection of PET plastic in return for monetary compensation. This compensation goes directly to the women through e-wallets and is used by them to sustain their families’ livelihoods, especially their children’s health and education. Additionally, Nestle through DORNA lead a training session with the women waste sorters to teach them about using protective measures and equipment while sorting and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE), given that women are the most vulnerable in the value chain.
Enhancing Women’s Place in Climate Action
Taking these learnings forward, there are different avenues that could be taken to help increase women’s active involvement in combating climate change.
Ensuring More Women in Leadership
Having women in leadership roles have proven its contribution to more and better legislations addressing climate change and action. This not only promotes gender equality and inclusivity in legislative and policy-making roles, but most importantly ensures that women's and minorities’ perspectives are taken into account in decision-making processes.
Improving Education and Capacity Building
The road to mitigation requires the inclusion of women in education and skill development in environmental science, renewable energy, and sustainable practices. When women are equipped with this knowledge, they become powerful advocates and change agents.
Women educated in these fields can play crucial roles in promoting sustainable development in their communities and beyond. They can become educators, researchers, policymakers, and leaders who influence decisions related to environmental protection and climate action.
Enabling Women-led Initiatives
Financial and technical support for women-led climate initiatives increases the possibility of success for these interventions. This in return will give rise to more creative solutions and growth for targeting broad audiences and greater impact.
Additionally, encouraging entrepreneurial activity in green industries, especially by women, is vital to expand insights, ideas and solutions about renewable energy, sustainability. This would not only combat climate change but also create jobs, which would help create and contribute to a circular economy.
By recognizing and harnessing the potential of women in climate action, a stronger, more resilient, and sustainable future can be built. Their unique contributions and leadership can be indispensable in the global fight against climate change. Their enhanced participation has implications for justice and ensuring a practical way forward to realize an equitable and sustainable future for all.