"Climate change is unfair": Experts urge more women in crisis leadership

Experts emphasize that climate change disproportionately affects women, particularly in vulnerable regions, and call for more women in leadership roles to address the crisis. Women often bear the brunt of climate-related disasters, yet their voices and expertise remain underrepresented in decision-making processes. Increasing female leadership in climate policy and crisis response is crucial to ensure more inclusive, effective solutions. Experts argue that women's perspectives are essential in crafting equitable and sustainable climate strategies.

The climate crisis does not impact everyone in the same way. Women and girls, in particular, experience the worst of its effects, mainly because they are disproportionately represented among the world’s impoverished.

In rural communities, women and girls are often tasked with securing vital resources like water, food, and firewood for their households. When natural disasters such as droughts and floods occur, these women are forced to work harder, traveling greater distances to meet their families’ needs.

As climate change intensifies existing issues like conflict, inequality, and vulnerability, it also increases the risk of gender-based violence. Women and children are 14 times more likely to perish in the wake of extreme weather events than men. Furthermore, an estimated 80% of individuals displaced by climate change are women and girls.

Helen Pankhurst, Senior Advisor on Gender Equality at CARE International UK, describes the climate crisis as inherently sexist. “Climate change is a feminist issue that directly threatens the fundamental rights of women and girls,” Pankhurst explains to Euronews Green. Despite the immense burden climate change places on women, they continue to lead grassroots efforts and inspire change. Pankhurst asserts that these women are pivotal in fostering community solutions, demonstrating resilience, and offering hope for a more promising future.

Additionally, women are playing a significant role in civil society, actively challenging harmful policies. There is a growing movement of women who are demanding change, although they are still often absent from positions of political power. In fact, only eight out of 78 world leaders at the most recent climate summit were women, highlighting the disparity in representation at the global level.

Pankhurst expresses her frustration with the lack of female representation, especially considering how women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change. “Climate and gender justice are intertwined. You cannot achieve one without the other,” she states. Despite increasing numbers of delegations at the UN climate conferences, the number of women involved in leadership has stagnated and, in some cases, even declined.

Bianca Pitt, co-founder of SHE Changes Climate, a campaign dedicated to increasing women's representation at international climate negotiations, emphasizes the importance of involving women in climate decision-making. “When women suffer, everyone suffers,” Pitt asserts. “The ripple effect is undeniable.”

If women, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, are excluded from climate decision-making, their lived experiences and perspectives will remain unheard, meaning policies will be less effective. Pitt explains that if only a select group of people makes decisions, they will inevitably fail to address the needs of the broader population. This exclusion creates a “blind spot,” as decisions are often made based on the experiences of those in power, who are predominantly men.

Research has demonstrated that when women are in positions of power, climate policies become stronger and more effective. Studies show that the presence of women in national parliaments correlates with more rigorous climate policies and lower carbon emissions. Similarly, a study conducted in Italy found that female leaders tend to prioritize sustainable practices, such as waste management and the responsible use of water and energy.

In the private sector, companies with more women on their boards are more likely to implement policies that improve energy efficiency, reduce their environmental impact, and invest in renewable energy. Furthermore, women-led companies are more proactive in addressing emissions and tend to perform better in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics.

Research also reveals that economies benefit when women participate actively in decision-making. These economies tend to be more resilient, productive, and equitable for everyone. Pitt emphasizes that the same is true for nations and businesses where women take the lead on climate change issues: policies and initiatives are more likely to succeed when women are involved.

However, despite the compelling evidence of women’s leadership at the grassroots level, their representation in politics remains disproportionately low. Pankhurst points out that women are already leading climate efforts within their communities, particularly in rural areas where they are driving innovative solutions. They are spearheading agriculture cooperatives, advocating for drought-resistant crops, and establishing early warning systems to protect vulnerable populations from climate-related disasters.

The question remains: if the evidence supports the need for women to lead on climate change, why are they still underrepresented in political leadership positions? Pitt attributes this disparity to the pervasive gender bias that continues to shape the climate change sector. This bias, she argues, is both real and powerful, with women often being seen as less authoritative or assertive than their male counterparts. This bias has been observed in high-profile cases, such as the media’s coverage of Kamala Harris when she became the first female vice president of the United States.

Pitt also highlights that the lack of female representation at the national level further perpetuates this imbalance. “If there are no women in leadership roles, younger women will have no role models to follow,” she says. “Without visible female leaders, young girls may come to believe that leadership in these areas is reserved for men.”

To address this gender imbalance, public bodies, businesses, and governments must acknowledge the unconscious biases that exist in the climate change sector. However, experts argue that waiting for gradual change is not an option. Pitt emphasizes that “organic growth” is not sufficient to address the urgent need for more women in leadership positions. The UNFCCC Gender Action Plan calls for equal representation of women in climate negotiations, with women making up 50% of delegations.

Pitt also stresses the importance of “skilling up” women to participate in negotiations, ensuring they have ample speaking opportunities. She notes that when women chair meetings, other women in the room are more likely to speak up, which helps foster an inclusive and empowering environment. By highlighting the women already leading in climate change efforts, younger girls will see that leadership in this space is attainable and will be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Pankhurst, who is the great-granddaughter of British suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, echoes this call for greater representation. She advocates for creating more space for women and girls to contribute to the climate crisis discussion. “We need to fund women-led organizations and support them in making a real difference at the political level,” Pankhurst says. “We don’t have time to waste — climate change is happening right now.”

As we approach International Women’s Day, Pankhurst emphasizes that the status quo must be challenged. “We don’t have the luxury of time,” she warns. “Climate change is not a distant threat; it is here, and it is affecting the lives of women and girls across the world right now.”

The urgency of the situation requires immediate action. Women must be given the platform and resources they need to lead the way in tackling climate change and shaping the policies that will determine our future.

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Source: euronews‍