Double Dividends: Advancing Gender Equality While Combatting Climate Change

“How can we ensure that the shift to a green economy is not only environmentally sound, but also socially sound – with gender equality at its core?” – Anna Falth, Global Head, WEPs Secretariat

Climate change is not experienced equally. It intersects with and amplifies existing gender inequalities, disproportionately affecting women – particularly those from low-income and marginalized communities. Limited access to resources, land ownership, education, and decision-making power constrains women’s ability to respond to and recover from environmental challenges.[1]

At the same time, women are underrepresented in climate policymaking and green sectors, which means their perspectives and needs are often overlooked in climate solutions. Women currently make up just 32 per cent of the renewable energy workforce, and their representation is even lower in green finance, technology and leadership roles.[2] 

This lack of inclusivity is not only a matter of equity, but also a missed business opportunity. Companies with diverse leadership teams are 25 per cent more likely to outperform their peers in profitability.[3] Today’s investors and consumers are paying attention, and they are backing companies that align with gender equality and sustainability values. To lead in this space, businesses take steps to apply gender-disaggregated data to guide environmental strategies, set measurable targets for women’s leadership in the green economy and invest in green skills training for women and girls.

On 23 April 2025, the WEPs Secretariat hosted a deep dive webinar focusing on the importance of ensuring gender inclusive green transition. The session featured insights from Fowzia Hassan, Team Lead and Senior Energy Operations Officer at the World Bank, who is leading Women in Energy Network Africa (WEN-Africa Initiative), and Marwa Hammad, Head of Global Gender Strategy, Youth Education & Entrepreneurship Programme, Corporate Citizenship at Schneider Electric. The discussion highlighted that the shift to a green economy offers a critical opportunity for the private sector to drive environmental reform in ways that both advance gender equality and generate substantial economic benefits.

The conversation underscored that the green transition is a timely opportunity to address long-standing inequalities while shaping a more sustainable and fair economy. It also highlighted that integrating gender equality into every aspect of green business, from training and leadership to investment and workplace safety, is not just the right thing to do, it is necessary to create a greener, more inclusive and profitable future. 

Ensuring a gender inclusive green transition

To kick off the session, Anna Falth, Global Head of the WEPs Secretariat, highlighted how the global shift toward net-zero emissions is reshaping industries. With more than 30 million jobs expected to emerge by 2030 through investments in renewable energy and climate-smart technologies,[4] the green economy represents not only environmental responsibility but also an opportunity to progress on social issues. However, she cautioned that without deliberate, inclusive planning, this transition could reinforce the same gender inequalities that have long marginalized women.

Empowering Women in Africa’s Green Energy Future

The World Bank strives to end poverty and address the world’s most urgent challenges, including gender inequality and climate change. In 2024 alone, it delivered $42.6 billion in climate finance.[5]

Fowzia’s role at the World Bank sits at the intersection of climate action and gender equality. She highlighted how the Banks supports women in Africa as they navigate and contribute to the green economy transition. Her presentation emphasized that if we are truly committed to a sustainable energy future, we must ask how will women benefit. What obstacles do they face? And what concrete steps are we taking to eliminate those barriers?"

World Bank research has found that only 15 per cent of technical roles in Africa’s power sector are held by women.[6] Through the WEN-Africa Initiative, launched in 2024, the World Bank is addressing this problem head-on by working with 21 institutional partners across the continent to implement over 600 gender-focused activities benefiting more than 21,800 women. From supporting STEM education for girls to promoting women’s entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, this initiative proves that reducing gender inequality and advancing climate goals can go hand-in-hand.

Schneider Electric & its Foundation: Turning the Women’s Empowerment Principles into Lifelong Impact

Since becoming a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in 2016, Schneider Electric has actively translated its commitment into tangible actions, particularly through its Youth Education & Entrepreneurship Programme. This initiative aims to empower youth with specific focus on gender equality through training in energy management, climate resilience and skill-building. To date, more than 900-thousand young people have been trained, with a target of reaching one million by 2025. Schneider’s approach emphasizes education, social inclusion, and sustainability as essential pillars of the energy transition.

Operating in over 60 countries and collaborating with 400 partners, Schneider Electric supports girls throughout their development—from mentorship in school to vocational training and entrepreneurial guidance. One standout initiative is the Women in STEM Mentorship Programme, where Schneider employees volunteer to provide mentorship young women, helping to dismantle gender stereotypes and inspire confidence. In Indonesia, Schneider Electric empowers women through its Women Electricians Bootcamp, providing hands-on training in energy management that enables them to launch their own income-generating small businesses. These women not only become entrepreneurs but also uplift others in their communities, demonstrating the powerful ripple effect of inclusive workforce development.

Schneider’s sustained efforts have earned global recognition. In 2024, the company received the Asia-Pacific WEPs Award, and in 2025, it was named a DEI Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum for empowering women in the Sahel through renewable energy and entrepreneurship. These honors highlight Schneider’s broader vision: that women's empowerment is not only about equality but also a key driver of inclusive economic growth and long-term resilience in the green transition. 

Building Inclusion into Every Layer of the Green Economy

During the discussion, key topics emerged around data, safety, and the role of men in advancing gender equality within the green economy. One critical gap identified is the lack of gender-specific indicators in global targets like SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), which makes tracking gender-related progress challenging. In response, the World Bank integrates gender gap assessments into each of its projects, developing tailored action plans and collecting primary data where needed.

Discussions also addressed the design of inclusive programming. In some countries, such as Pakistan, gender-separated initiatives are necessary due to cultural norms, while in others, like Egypt, integrated models with both women and men prove more effective. Participants agreed on the need for context-sensitive strategies that promote gender equality while actively involving male allies to support and sustain long-term progress.

On workplace safety, particularly regarding gender-based violence (GBV), proactive measures are critical. The World Bank’s approach includes community engagement before project implementation, mandatory training on respectful conduct, and clear HR policies addressing GBV. These steps aim to ensure that emerging green jobs are not only accessible to women but also safe and respectful.

Next Steps and Concluding Thoughts  

The session highlighted several opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in advancing the green transition.

This discussion reminded us that the path to a sustainable future must be paved with both environmental ambition and social equity. As the green economy grows, the private sector has a powerful role to play in ensuring women are not left behind but are instead positioned as leaders and changemakers. By embedding gender equality into climate strategies through inclusive policies, targeted investments, and a commitment to safe, equitable workplaces, businesses can unlock double dividends: advancing sustainability while fostering a more just and resilient economy for all.

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