(PLVN) - In the context of climate change, environmental degradation and resource depletion, the green economy is an inevitable trend towards sustainable development. In particular, women are at the forefront thanks to their increasing efforts in the field of renewable energy and their central role as decision makers in households around the world.
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| Women actively contribute to improving food security in the community. (Photo: iStock) |
(PLVN) - In the context of climate change, environmental degradation and resource depletion, the green economy is an inevitable trend towards sustainable development. In particular, women are at the forefront thanks to their increasing efforts in the field of renewable energy and their central role as decision makers in households around the world.
Initiative to help women take the initiative in the green economy
The United Nations asserts that including women in the green economy yields better results. Countries with higher representation of women in their legislatures also score higher on climate action indicators, indicating that female leaders prioritize environmental sustainability. By 2023, women will account for 32% of jobs in renewable energy globally, compared to just 22% in the fossil fuel industry. Investing more in women’s leadership around the world will boost profitability, sustainability, and gender equality. Another 2020 United Nations study found that, between 2013 and 2018, companies with better gender diversity on their boards were 60%, 39%, and 46% more likely to reduce energy intensity, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and water use, respectively, than companies without gender diversity.
In agriculture, one of the sectors with the greatest environmental impact, the United Nations has launched a Gender and Climate Change program that focuses on training and financial support for women farmers in climate-smart farming methods. In fact, in developing countries, women produce up to 80% of food but lack access to land, credit and agricultural technology. Women farmers, scientists and entrepreneurs are increasingly asserting their role. Another example is the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) program, which empowers women and promotes sustainable methods that benefit communities and ecosystems. Through this, the number of women practicing sustainable agriculture is increasing.
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Recognizing women’s pioneering role in just transitions contributes to their active participation in the green economy. (Photo: UN Women) |
In many developing countries, women are also central to the circular economy, particularly in models that reduce waste by encouraging reuse, recycling, and reducing unnecessary consumption. Since women manage household waste, educating them on sustainable waste management solutions is an effective strategy. Women-led projects in the informal recycling sector, such as those supported by the Global Alliance for Recycling and Sustainable Development (GARSD), have significantly reduced urban waste while creating employment opportunities. In India, the “Collection and Processing of Solid Waste” initiative is run primarily by women. These women have developed a decentralized waste management system that collects waste from hundreds of thousands of households and processes an average of more than 1,000 tons of waste per day.
Breaking gender barriers in the race to Net Zero
The race to “Net Zero” emissions is one of the global initiatives to promote a greener economy that is more friendly and sustainable for the climate, environment and planet. Notably, women play a very important role in the process of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable and green energy, but they are often overlooked.
For example, in the Indo-Pacific region, according to UN Women, there remains an imbalance between sustainable progress and gender equality. Specifically, women in agriculture in the region account for more than half of all workers in the sector. For example, in Lao PDR, women make up more than 70% of the rural workforce, followed by Myanmar (45%) and Vietnam (41%). Outside of agriculture, women are increasingly involved in the transition to renewable energy, with many working on small-scale solar and biomass projects that support local and rural economies, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on food production and water resources. However, women’s work is often undervalued and unrecognized by governments. Their work is often seen as an extension of unpaid care responsibilities, such as looking after children, the elderly and people with disabilities – important but often overlooked and undercompensated roles.
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Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo work and care for their children at the same time, but their efforts are often unrecognized. (Photo: UN Women) |
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Human Rights Council, the energy transition must be equitable and protect the rights of vulnerable populations, including women and girls. Addressing these issues is paramount, and has been highlighted in the UN agenda. Accordingly, the UN calls on Member States to adopt gender-responsive approaches to climate action, including learning from best practice and innovation at the local level. Initiatives such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s “Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change” are also working to ensure that women’s contributions are recognized and their voices are included in global dialogues on climate action.
Recognizing women’s role as leaders in just transitions and as drivers of community resilience means prioritizing women’s leadership in decision-making processes and acknowledging their important contributions to driving sustainable change, especially when their livelihoods are tied to employment in renewable energy and the green economy.
One example is the Women’s I Tok Tok Tugeta Network (WITTT) initiative in Vanuatu, one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, led by a group of women who have leveraged local knowledge and expertise to build community resilience. By empowering women to take leadership roles in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, the WITTT network promotes sustainable practices, ensures that women’s voices are prioritized in decision-making, and implements effective solutions to address the challenges their communities face, including preventing gender-based violence, improving the rights of people with disabilities, managing disasters, and protecting public health.
More and more countries, including Vietnam, have recognized the importance of incorporating gender into climate policy and promoting a green economy. Accordingly, governments are also focusing on developing policies to support women’s leadership and entrepreneurship in the fields of energy transition and sustainable development.
Women’s participation in the green economy not only brings environmental benefits, but also has a significant economic impact. According to a McKinsey report, promoting gender equality could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. In the context of sustainable development, women-led organizations and projects often reinvest their profits into the areas of community development, health care and education, creating a positive ripple effect.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) also highlighted that the green economy could create 24 million jobs by 2030, provided that gender-inclusive recruitment policies are in place. Women’s representation in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmental technology sectors could catalyze job growth while promoting green policies and innovations that meet both economic and ecological needs.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/phu-nu-tien-phong-trong-nen-kinh-te-xanh-toan-cau-post541837.html
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