As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, women are emerging as pivotal agents of transformation, driving innovative solutions and championing sustainability across sectors. Recognizing this vital role, the German Embassy in New Delhi hosted a “Women as Agent of Climate Action” on 8 August 2024, focusing on the empowerment of women in climate leadership. The Dissucission, brought together a panel of experts and corporate leaders to explore the intersection of gender and climate action.

Ambassador Ackermann opened the evening by stressing the importance of integrating gender perspectives into climate policies. He highlighted India’s progress in this area, noting that unlike in Germany, women in India are more engaged in STEM fields. “During my visit to an R&D centre in Bangalore with 8,000 employees, I was impressed to see that more than half were women,” he remarked, underscoring India’s advancements in climate action through gender inclusivity.

The panel included representatives from Siemens Energy, SAP India, and other key stakeholders from academia and NGOs. Discussions centred on both the progress made and the challenges that remain in advancing women’s leadership in climate initiatives.

Guilherme Mendonça, CEO of Siemens Energy, announced that 30 per cent of the company’s leadership positions are now held by women, to reach 35 per cent by 2025. He highlighted the “Shine” program, designed to create platforms for women to address challenges in the energy sector.

Sagarika Bose, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at SAP India, discussed the company’s efforts to support women-led social enterprises focused on climate resilience. She emphasized the role of technology in reducing the workload for women, thereby increasing their participation in climate action.

The discussion also explored the structural barriers that women face in climate leadership roles. Panelists highlighted the need for long-term financing to drive transformative change in gender relations, noting that short-term project cycles often fail to address entrenched social norms.

Ambika Vishwanath, Director at the Kubernein Initiative, addressed common misconceptions about women’s capabilities in climate action. “There is a tendency to underestimate women, especially those with less formal education, but often they have solutions that are more effective, cheaper, and faster,” she said.

Corporate leaders also discussed initiatives to create more inclusive work environments, including flexible work policies, on-site childcare, and dedicated mentorship programs, as key strategies to support women’s advancement in sustainability roles.

A recurring theme in the discussion was the need for comprehensive data and research on gender-specific impacts of climate change. Panelists argued that better data is essential for designing effective policies that address the unique vulnerabilities and strengths of women in the face of climate challenges.

The discussion was Moderated by the German Ambassador to India, Dr. Philipp Ackermann, and the discussion concluded with a sense of shared purpose among attendees. Ambassador Ackermann summed up the discussion, calling for continued dialogue and concrete actions to elevate women’s voices in climate decision-making processes.