Climate crisis deepens gender inequality, 1.5 billion Women and Girls worldwide live in Climate hotspots, warns UN Women Report

Climate crisis deepens gender inequality, pushing women towards poverty, income losses and increased risk of violence; women could secure 68 million additional green jobs by 2035

Antalya, Turkiye: More than one in three women and girls worldwide, representing at least 1.5 billion people, live in climate hotspots where exposure to extreme weather events, insecure livelihoods and deep-rooted gender inequality intersect, according to a new fact sheet released by UN Women.

The report, titled Gender Equality in the Age of Climate Crisis, warns that climate change is intensifying existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting women and girls through rising poverty, loss of income, increased unpaid care responsibilities, displacement and gender-based violence.

While 73 per cent of countries acknowledge the specific climate risks faced by women and girls in their national climate action plans, only slightly more than one in three address these challenges comprehensively, highlighting a significant gap between policy commitments and implementation.

“Across the world, women are already leading the fight for a better future – in their communities, in laboratories, in parliaments and on the front lines of the climate crisis,” said Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women.

“We must give women and girls equal rights, resources and the power to lead, and they will help drive the change our world so urgently needs,” she added.

Climate crisis widening economic inequalities

The UN Women fact sheet highlights how women, particularly in countries that have contributed least to global greenhouse gas emissions, are bearing a disproportionate share of the climate crisis.

Under a worst-case climate scenario, as many as 141 million additional women and girls could be pushed into extreme poverty.

The economic impact is already visible. Data from 24 countries indicates that a 1°C rise in average temperatures is associated with women losing 34 per cent more of their total income than men.

The report links this disparity to women’s limited opportunities to move into non-agricultural employment or migrate when climate-related crop failures undermine rural livelihoods.

The findings underline how rising temperatures and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns are threatening women’s economic security, particularly those dependent on agriculture and other climate-sensitive sectors.

Climate change is also increasing the burden of unpaid work, particularly water and fuel collection and caring for family members following extreme weather events.

According to UN Women, of the 1.8 billion people worldwide without water on their premises, women are the primary water collectors in two-thirds of households.

Under a high-emissions scenario, the time required to collect water could increase by up to 30 per cent by 2050, further limiting women’s opportunities for education, paid employment and participation in public life.

Drought and disasters increase risks of gender-based violence

The report also draws attention to the connection between climate-related livelihood losses, displacement, resource scarcity and violence against women and girls.

Data covering 14 countries found that exposure to prolonged extreme drought was associated with a 21 per cent higher risk of sexual violence against adolescent girls and young women.

Climate-related displacement and economic insecurity can intensify existing vulnerabilities, while competition over scarce resources can further expose women and girls to exploitation and abuse.

The climate crisis could also reverse progress in reducing child marriage. Although the pace of progress in reducing child marriage has nearly doubled over the past decade, UN Women found that in 24 of 46 countries with comparable data, child marriage rates were higher in more arid environments than in more humid regions.

Energy transition and climate leadership remain unequal

The report highlights another contradiction in the global energy transition: while artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are driving up energy demand, 326 million women and girls still lack access to electricity.

Women’s participation in climate and energy decision-making also remains limited. They hold just 12 per cent of energy portfolios globally, while women environmental defenders continue to face harassment and even death for protecting their communities and natural resources.

Climate finance remains another major concern. Developing countries receive less than one-third of the climate finance they need, while only 4 per cent of climate-focused Official Development Assistance prioritises gender equality.

Green jobs offer an opportunity

Despite the alarming findings, UN Women says targeted investments and policies could create significant opportunities for women in the emerging green economy.

With the right support, women could secure up to 66 per cent of net new green jobs, gaining an estimated 68 million additional employment opportunities by 2035.

The report calls for stronger gender-responsive climate policies, equitable access to finance, electricity, land, technology and employment, as well as greater representation of women in climate decision-making.

With global temperatures projected to rise by at least 1.8°C under the current trajectory, the report warns that worsening droughts, floods, wildfires and cyclones could deepen the social and economic consequences of climate change.

Its central message is that climate action cannot be considered equitable or effective unless women and girls have equal access to resources, protection and decision-making power.

As governments prepare and implement their climate commitments, closing the gap between recognising gender-specific climate risks and addressing them through concrete action will be critical to ensuring that the transition to a climate-resilient future leaves no one behind.