Women are significantly under-represented in climate policy, climate decision-making, and climate finance, according to a report by the Women in Climate Action Group which also draws on research conducted by CARE International UK.
Members of the Group will present their findings on gender inequality in private climate finance at COP26 tomorrow. The report identifies specific actions that can help deliver better gender and climate outcomes, such as improving gender-balanced representation in key climate finance decision-making roles, focusing on measures to include women in the financial system, integrating gender into public and private climate policy planning, and developing and implementing a consistent global framework of gender metrics and data to incorporate into climate finance reporting.
The Group is chaired by Amanda Blanc, group chief executive of Aviva and HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter champion. She has been tasked with leading efforts to increase gender diversity in the UK financial services sector. The Group brings together senior female leaders from finance, government, and civil society to form this Group.
Blanc says: “We can’t solve the climate crisis without involving women. And we won’t create equality for women unless we address the climate crisis. With so much at stake, it is negligent beyond belief to ignore the impact on half the world’s population, and the contribution women can make. That is why I’ve convened a group of female leaders in finance to consider what more can be done to improve gender equality when designing, delivering and accessing climate finance.”
Global Optimism founding partner Christiana Figueres says: “I have seen first hand the way in which women and girls are being hit by the impacts of climate change- and also the amazing innovation that comes from empowering women to act. Sadly I have also seen the way in which women are all too frequently excluded from the discussion on climate action and finance. Women’s voices need to be heard at every level in order to make a difference. We need to see concrete ways forward to make this happen from both policymakers and businesses. I hope this report helps to generate the actions required.”
Legal & General Investment Management CEO and the UK Government’s COP26 business leader group co-chair Michelle Scrimgeour says: “As a signatory to the Women in Finance Climate Action Group, we welcome this report, which tackles the connected issues of gender inequality and private climate finance. Climate change must be a fight that unites us all, and inaction is not an option. We have long advocated for convergence of standards, and we are actively engaging with stakeholders/companies globally to address all forms of diversity. There is undoubtedly more to do; we need to build on the progress that has been made to drive the change we believe in.”
WWF CEO Tanya Steele says: “Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge humankind has ever faced, and the impact will be most severe for the world’s poorest and most marginalised, including women. However, women are not just victims given the opportunity; they are powerful agents of change. Their leadership is critical as we look to address the huge task ahead of us to stop the destruction of nature and help it recover – and there are already many examples of women around the world who are helping to deliver initiatives that bring about transformational improvements for people and for our planet.”
