WOMEN ARE DRIVING CLIMATE POLICY WORLDWIDE

07 Aug 2022 2:02 PM | Jean Murray (Administrator)

A recent article by 4 female climate science experts in The Conversation examines how increasing the proportion of women leaders results in more progressive, science-informed climate policy – not only in Australia but around the planet.

The major parties largely ignored gender equity and climate change throughout the 2022 election campaign, yet both issues proved to be turning points for the Australian electorate. And now climate change is a central pillar of the government’s parliamentary agenda, with a bill to enshrine a climate target into law introduced last week.

Women are on the front line of climate change impacts, which makes our experiences and leadership critical at decision-making tables. From Barbados to Finland, we’ve seen women’s leadership on climate bring fair, innovative and ambitious policies. Women are disproportionately impacted by climate change due to systemic inequalities. In Africa, when disaster strikes, women find it more difficult to evacuate or read written warnings, and are overlooked in rescue attempts in favour of men. In Australia, researchers note sharp surges in domestic violence in the wake of disasters such as bushfires.

Women also have a critical role to play in achieving ambitious and innovative climate action, as the Women’s Leadership statement at last year’s Glasgow climate summit noted. There are many examples of female climate leadership and the benefits that follow when women and girls are afforded the opportunity to take a lead on climate action. An OECD Working Paper  notes that women’s participation in decision-making often leads to the development of stronger and more sustainable climate policies and goals.

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