Addressing the Intersection of Climate and Gender Through Transformative Action

Gender-responsive climate action is critical in addressing the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, recognizing that climate change often exacerbates pre-existing gender inequalities. Corporate strategies must incorporate gender dimensions of environmental issues, which can advance both net-zero emissions and gender equality. Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF UK, underscored the urgency by stating, “climate change is the biggest environmental challenge ever, affecting the poorest and most marginalized, especially women, the hardest. However, women are not merely victims but pivotal agents of change, whose leadership is crucial in halting and reversing nature’s degradation.”

Research from entities like UN Women, Nature Communications and the UNFCCC illustrates the gender-specific impacts of climate change, which disproportionately threaten women and girls by magnifying gender inequalities and jeopardizing their well-being, health and security. This is particularly acute for women in low- and lower-middle-income countries, often responsible for securing food, water and fuel for their families, and is further complicated for women and girls with intersecting identities, such as indigenous, migrant, rural, LGBTQ+ or disabled individuals, who face layered social, economic and environmental inequalities intensified by climate change.

The intersection of climate change and gender inequality extends beyond immediate vulnerabilities, catalyzing social, political and economic tensions. These tensions manifest in increased instances of gender-based violence, human trafficking and child marriages. The scarcity of resources, worsened by climate change, places women and girls at an increased risk of violence as they are forced to travel further to obtain water and other necessities for their families. Data shows that around 80% of individuals displaced by climate change are women, making them highly vulnerable to human trafficking and forced marriages, especially when seeking refuge in emergency shelters or camps. This risk is further heightened for migrant women, who encounter challenges in reporting sexual violence because of insufficient protection systems and a higher likelihood of experiencing violence.

Additionally, climate disasters hamper the quality of and access to water and sanitation, increasing health and safety risks. The health threats climate change poses include the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Extreme changes in weather and rising temperatures lead to higher instances of stillbirths, miscarriages and diseases like malaria and dengue fever, negatively affecting pregnancy outcomes. These health threats make it more difficult for women to access post-disaster relief, and such disparities associated with limited access to information and resources reflect the systemic inequality women and girls face as a result of climate change.

However, climate action and gender equality offer opportunities for positive impact and transformative action. By recognizing and using the knowledge and skills of women and girls, we can build communities that are more resilient to climate change and fairer to everyone. Women’s participation in climate action is essential in the private and public sectors. The private and public sectors need policies and initiatives that are gender-responsive and gender-transformative, which means that they consider and address the gender issues related to climate change. This can lead to lasting and beneficial change.

One example of this approach is the Gender Transformative Mechanism (GTM), a project by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which aims to include gender aspects in climate solutions. It helps communities by working in rural areas, challenging gender norms and promoting climate resilience. It tackles the intersection of gender and climate.

Public Sector Efforts and the Role of the Private Sector

The public sector is vital in implementing policies and creating frameworks that support gender-transformative approaches. Governments and NGOs worldwide increasingly recognize the need to integrate gender considerations into their climate strategies. For example, efforts to enhance climate resilience among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often focus on empowering women entrepreneurs and workers, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of gender equality and climate action.

To complement policy development and implementation when promoting climate resilience, the private sector’s engagement is pivotal in fostering gender-sensitive climate initiatives, investing in women-led projects and ensuring women’s inclusion in decision-making processes. This involvement is crucial in sectors such as sustainable agriculture, where there is an immediate need to support female entrepreneurs and create green jobs. However, it is important to note that the anticipated growth in green jobs by 2030 highlights the potential risk of exacerbating gender inequalities, particularly in rural areas where traditional gender roles may limit women’s access to reskilling and green employment opportunities. Inclusive reskilling programs are essential, ensuring women have equal opportunities in the emerging green economy.

When addressing climate change, it is necessary to ensure that women’s voices and leadership, especially those of indigenous women, are promoted and valued. Gender-responsive climate financing is a powerful tool for integrating gender considerations into climate action. The European Investment Bank advocates for this approach and offers the Women Climate Leaders Network as a platform for women leaders from the private sector to accelerate action on climate change. The network shares best practices and develops innovative, green, inclusive finance solutions.

Looking Ahead

Effective climate action and gender equity demand a collaborative and transformative approach that spans the public and private sectors and civil society. Developing and implementing policies and interventions with a gender-sensitive lens can ensure inclusivity, equity and efficiency in climate initiatives. Focusing on transforming gender dynamics and systems allows us to address the root causes of gender inequality and climate vulnerability, paving the way for more resilient and equitable societies.

This gender-transformative approach addresses the immediate impacts of climate change on women and girls and contributes to the broader goals of sustainable development and global gender equality. To build a fair and resilient future, we must focus on changing power balances and breaking down the barriers to gender equality. This effort requires everyone—governments, businesses, NGOs and communities—to work together. Integrating gender considerations into climate policy, finance and action opens new opportunities for innovation, empowerment and global sustainability.