Having dedicated a decade to climate action, I am now more convinced than ever that empowering women represents one of the most effective strategies for catalyzing genuine change. Across diverse settings—from corporate boardrooms to academic institutions, diplomatic negotiations to local communities, and even public demonstrations—women are increasingly stepping forward to demand urgent action and champion progress. They articulate difficult truths, challenge existing norms, and steadfastly refuse to yield. While this path often involves solitude and immense effort, women are consistently driving us forward, one measured step at a time.
The evidence is conclusive: women are two and a half times more inclined to call for governmental climate intervention. They are 60% more likely to leverage their voices to advocate for change and twice as likely to participate civically in environmental issues. Furthermore, organizations with a greater proportion of women in leadership positions tend to undertake more decisive climate initiatives, including the disclosure of their emissions. Female leaders in governance, commerce, and civil society are demonstrably advancing progress. As a Ugandan climate activist stated: “The most powerful force against climate change is a woman.”
Consider the impact of one notable climate activist. What began as a singular youth protest before the Swedish Parliament evolved into a global movement, mobilizing millions and compelling governments—including Canada, where I served—to adopt more robust climate measures.
Reflecting on the U.N. COP21 climate negotiations, it is evident that women played a crucial role in the successful formulation of the Paris Agreement. The women I encountered in Paris were not merely attendees; they were actively leading, negotiating, and influencing the trajectory of those vital discussions at every echelon. Their leadership was fundamental to the agreement reached.
I personally witnessed women’s profound influence once more in 2018 when, as Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, I hosted the “Women Kicking it on Climate Summit.” Women from across the globe convened to ensure the Paris Agreement’s objectives were met and to champion ambitious solutions. The atmosphere in that room was vibrant. The connections forged there helped propel the global climate agenda forward, underscoring that women’s leadership is not merely significant, but indispensable.
Following my departure from politics, I established “Women Leading on Climate,” a global collective of female leaders dedicated to advancing climate action. In 2024, in collaboration with the We Mean Business Coalition, we inaugurated a global network during Climate Week in New York. Our launch event was a resounding triumph. We articulated a clear agenda: to urge global leaders to triple renewable energy capacity, phase out fossil fuels, and devise new, ambitious climate strategies. Prominent climate advocates, including a leader from France, Patricia Espinosa from Mexico, and Jennifer Morgan from Germany, delivered compelling addresses on the imperative of collective action. Ana Toni from Brazil highlighted the leadership of Brazilian women on climate and announced the formation of a local network in anticipation of this year’s COP30 in Brazil.
Among our achievements was an instance where women leaders, spearheaded by Maria Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition, successfully admonished the Azerbaijani government for excluding women from the COP29 organizing committee. This exclusion was egregious, considering women constitute half the population and are at the forefront of advocating for more ambitious climate measures. Subsequent to our advocacy, women were appointed. It marked a modest yet significant triumph.
At COP29 last year, we submitted an advocacy letter to the U.N. Secretary-General, co-signed by women leaders from the business, political, and civil society sectors, urging more ambitious climate action and pledging support for his endeavors. We also initiated the #WomenLeadingonClimate social media campaign, which garnered 14.6 million impressions, featuring prominent voices such as Nakate, Sophia Kianni, Arizona Muse, and Tori Tsui. This campaign empowered women worldwide to share their narratives, call for enhanced climate leadership, and advocate for policies prioritizing climate justice.
Today, our network spans the globe with over 500 members and established chapters in Canada, the E.U., Australia, and Brazil, all engaged in delivering tangible action. Moving forward, this initiative is poised for continued expansion and will persist in advocating for bold and transformative change. At a juncture when numerous nations are retreating from climate commitments, the leadership of women is more critical than ever before.
In an era marked by prevalent “green hushing,” where national leaders and CEOs frequently omit any mention of “climate change,” women recognize the imperative to stand firm, voice concerns, and persevere.
Adapted from Run Like A Girl: A Memoir of Ambition, Resilience and Fighting for Change. Copyright © 2025 . Reprinted by permission of .
