Gender and Climate Change

Our work at the Grantham Research Institute highlights the necessity of integrating gender considerations into climate change research and action. Through a comprehensive approach which spans several key areas – including finance, technology, entrepreneurship and policy – we aim to uncover and address the unique impacts of climate change on different genders, and to ensure that climate action is both inclusive and effective. In addition to our existing projects and initiatives, listed below, our team is also active in organising and participating in events that focus on gender-inclusive climate transition.
Gender and climate finance
This research project delves into the roles of major actors in climate finance at both national and international levels. Through a series of closed-door roundtables, we are engaging with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), research experts and members of key government ministries involved in climate action around the world, such as Ministries of Finance, Environment and Women. Building on existing work on climate finance by the Grantham Research Institute, such as the IHLEG on Climate Finance and the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, our focus is on exploring current challenges to mainstreaming gender within climate finance, identifying avenues for impact and best practices to guide future work in this area.
Key contacts: Anika Heckwolf, Kamya Choudhary and Eleonore Soubeyran
Gender and renewable energy policies in agriculture
This project will assess existing solar irrigation initiatives to highlight best practices that empower women to be profitable economic actors and active agents of climate action within agrarian communities. It will focus on building resilience in farmers’ livelihoods, ensuring women’s ownership and profitable use of solar irrigation pumps. Our goal is to influence policy changes that promote the scaling of gender-inclusive solar irrigation models around the world to accelerate the deployment of solar technology and facilitate knowledge transfer between Asian and African countries.
Key contacts: Kamya Choudhary and Eleonore Soubeyran
Gender, adaptation and entrepreneurship
The following projects provide valuable and relevant resources within the Institute to inform our future work:
The Women Entrepreneurs in Climate Change Adaptation (WECCA) project focuses on women entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa to identify gender-specific barriers and enablers to building up their climate resilience.
The Behavioural Adaptation for Water Security and Inclusion (BASIN) project studies the scope for behavioural science to enhance inclusion (including gender equity) and climate resilience outcomes in water security policies and practice.
Past projects:
The Pathways to Resilience in Semi-arid Economies (PRISE) was a project that advocated for climate-resilient development in African and Asian semi-arid areas by identifying economic threats and opportunities resulting from climate change to create policies and investments for community climate resilience, with a special focus on women entrepreneurs.
Key contacts: Kate Gannon
Publications and commentaries
Strengthening the representation of women in diplomacy: challenges and policy solutions June 2024
Unpacking inclusive climate action December 2023
Building climate-resilient, female-led businesses in Kenya November 2023
Why do we need to accelerate the mainstreaming of gender into climate action June 2023
Four ways women have brought needed change to the climate movement March 2023
Women entrepreneurs in Africa face more climate risks than their male peers August 2022
Climate change, labour availability and the future of gender inequality in South Africa May 2022
Why the UK needs a diverse leadership team for COP26 October 2020
Media articles
Climate breakdown ‘is increasing violence against women The Guardian, January 2020
Event recordings
How can we deliver a gender-inclusive climate transition in India? February 2024
This webinar highlighted and addressed the critical role of gender inclusivity in India’s climate transition, providing actionable insights for researchers and stakeholders to identify key areas for building women’s resilience and participation in a greener, more equitable future.
Read a summary of the event here
Women in Diplomacy: Women leaders in climate May 2023
In this podcast Patricia Espinosa, the former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, talks with Kamya Choudhary about the need for bold action to combat climate change and about strategies for overcoming obstacles to the progression of women (especially from the Global South) in diplomacy.