Climate Negotiations Have a Gender Inequality Challenge

Women are key to solving the climate crisis, but they’re still underrepresented in decision-making. It’s time to change that.

Women are still underrepresented at climate negotiations despite the fact that they are disproportionately affected by climate change. Studies also show that their participation in local and national level discussions tends to lead to more action.

“Women are the answer to every climate question,” Kathy Baughman McLeod, CEO of Climate Resilience for All, a gender-focused climate adaptation nonprofit, said at a Devex event on the sidelines of UNGA 79 on Sept. 25.

But since the first United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties in 1995, only five women have been appointed as COP presidents. In 2022, women made up less than 34% of the country negotiating teams at the COP summit in Egypt. And this lack of representation has been a discussion point at many COPs — without much change.

“We often talk about how the climate crisis is affecting women and girls,” said Olivia Leland, founder and CEO of Co-Impact, a global philanthropic collaborative. “But the conversation also needs to be about how women leaders need to be driving those conversations at every level.”

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Climate negotiations have a gender inequality problem | Devex