Unlocking Women’s Leadership for Accelerating Climate Solutions
Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029
Why it matters
By 2050, climate change could drive up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty, underscoring its profound impact on gender equity. Far from being solely an environmental crisis, climate change deepens existing inequalities with its effects—such as extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and displacement—disproportionately affecting women and girls. Yet, women are not merely victims of this crisis; they are powerful agents of positive change.
Evidence indicates that greater representation of women in national parliaments is linked to stronger climate policies and lower carbon emissions. More specifically, a one-unit increase on the Women’s Political Empowerment Index leads to an 11.5% reduction in a country's carbon emissions. Without women's input, climate decisions risk being more costly and less effective, whereas their inclusion leads to stronger, more economically sound outcomes—making them a critical asset, not an afterthought.
SHE Changes Climate believes that uniting women leaders across climate and other sectors is the most powerful way to restore gender balance in climate governance at all levels and to develop climate policies that adequately address gender inequalities. As a global movement, SHE Changes Climate seeks to amplify a unified voice for just and inclusive climate action.
Our Approach and Strategic Actions
To achieve our goal of building a global movement of women climate leaders committed to equal gender representation in climate decision-making and gender-responsive policies, we take an approach centered on raising awareness and policy advocacy, strengthening leadership skills, generating relevant data through research, and connecting key stakeholders at all levels. Throughout, we ensure that the voices and perspectives of women, particularly those most affected by climate impacts, are at the forefront of shaping solutions.
We look forward to connecting with and building the agency of women leaders working on the frontlines of our country networks. As we build momentum toward COP30, our focus will be on expanding access to climate education, equipping grassroots and young leaders with the knowledge and tools to engage in climate policy conversations and access to climate finance. These efforts will culminate in the Women’s Day event at COP30, "Creating a Blueprint in Brazil for a Women-Led Global Movement for Just Climate Policy and Action.”