Women at the forefront of green economy

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In the midst of climate change, environmental degradation and resource depletion, green economy emerges as a practical solution towards sustainable development. Green economy promotes economic growth while reducing all our worries about environmental risks and scarcity. In such an economy, women are at the forefront because of their increasing efforts towards renewable energy, and their integral position as the decision-makers of households all around the world. According to a 2020 study, "Companies with improved gender diversity on boards from 2013 through 2018 were 60 per cent, 39 per cent and 46 per cent more likely than those without to reduce the intensity of energy consumption, GHG emissions and water use respectively."

According to UN, inclusion of women in green economy will lead to better outcomes. Countries with female representation in legislative bodies also score higher on climate action metrics, showing that female leaders prioritise environmental sustainability. Women roughly hold 32% of renewable energy jobs worldwide and 22% in fossil fuel sectors. Investing in women's leadership worldwide will lead to higher profitability, sustainability and gender inclusion.

Agriculture, one of the most environmentally impactful sectors, is driven by female farmers, scientists and entrepreneurs. Women produce up to 80% of the food in developing countries, but lack access to land, credit and agricultural technologies. 'Gender and Climate change', a programme by the UN, has recently focused on training and funding women farmers in climate-resilient practices. Another example is African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) programme, which empowers women and fosters sustainable practices that benefit the community and ecosystems. In Pakistan, where women are still majorly working in agricultural sectors, there is an increasing need to introduce programmes that train, incentivise and empower women to practise sustainable agriculture.

In many developing nations, like Pakistan, women are the primary household decision-makers, making them a central part to circular economy - a practice that minimises waste and promotes reducing, reusing and recycling. Since women manage household waste, teaching them sustainable waste solutions is the best way to go. Projects led by women in the informal recycling sector, such as those supported by the Global Alliance for Recycling and Sustainable Development (GARSD), have managed to reduce urban waste significantly while creating employment opportunities.

In India, initiatives like Solid Waste Collection and Handling are primarily run by women. These women have developed a decentralised waste management system that significantly reduces landfill wastes, collecting waste from over 600,000 households and processes over 1,000 tons of waste daily. This shows the power of women-led grassroots movements in promoting sustainable solutions.

Women's participation in the green economy not only has environmental benefits but economic ones too. A McKinsey report estimates that advancing gender equality could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. In the context of sustainability, women-led organisations and projects often reinvest their profits into community development, healthcare and education, creating positive ripple effects.

The ILO also emphasises that the green economy creates up to 24 million jobs by 2030, provided there is a focus on gender-inclusive employment practices. Women's representation in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmental technology can serve as a catalyst for this job growth, advancing green policies and innovations that address both economic and ecological needs.

Many countries are recognising the importance of gender inclusivity in climate policy. Initiatives such as the Gender and Climate Change Action Plan by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are working to ensure that women's contributions are recognised, and their voices are included in global climate action dialogues.

As Pakistan embraces green economy, there is a need to support women's leadership and entrepreneurship in sustainable energy sectors to build an equitable, sustainable and climate-resilient future.