A circular economy (CE) is key to tackling climate change, as it minimizes waste through reusing, repairing and recycling materials. Despite efforts to move away from a linear production model, the global circularity rate dropped from 9.1% in 2018 to 7.2% in 2023. This means that only a small fraction of extracted materials are recycled, as new resource demands outpace recycling capacities. To achieve a more efficient circular economy, we need collaborative efforts across sectors-and that includes bridging the gender gap.
Women's Crucial Role in a Circular Economy
World Conferences and Summits like COP29 bring together global leaders in government, business and civil society annually to strtegize on climate action and drive sustainable transitions. Yet, even within these decision-making circles, gender equality is often overlooked. While women represent about 39% of the global workforce, only 24% hold leadership roles in the environmental sector. This gap is even more pronounced in informal CE activities, such as waste management and recycling, where women are overrepresented in low-value and often hazardous roles.
Including women in climate action decisions and circular economy leadership roles is pivotal for transitioning to a CE. Indeed, women usually possess valuable knowledge on natural resources, water, food, etc., gained from traditional practices (e.g., consumption habits centered around the home or the body, childcare, etc,.). Most studies emphasize the correlation between women's values, attitudes, and sustainable behavior. Women have higher concerns about the environment and care for society than men, often demonstrating a greater awareness of sustainability concerns. Thus, better solutions are driven by the collaboration between men and women by bringing more diverse perspectives and gathering more knowledge, as gender-diverse teams are better at decision-making and get more comprehensive and inclusive outcomes. Moreover, according to the European Investment Fund, women-led firms have higher environmental, social, and governance scores and are more susceptible to adopting sustainable practices. Female leadership has more robust ethical and inclusive decision-making processes, leading to long-term environmental and social impacts. It brings unique insights and perspectives essential for business success and transit to a more sustainable world.
Subsequently, structural barriers limit their advancement in the CE. Wage disparities, cultural expectations and limited representation in decision-making restrict their contributions. For example, women in rural Africa, Kenya are often expected to focus on household duties, limiting their access to education and lack of opportunities to contribute to the economy .Less access to financial resources, such as credits or investments, further hinder their capacity to invest in sustainable models and CE or even grow their businesses. Similarly, in countries like Vietnam, where women represent 60% of the agriculture, textile, and waste workforce. are frequently exposed to health hazards including toxic gasses and emissions without adequate labor protections,leading to diseases and other health issues such as respiratory difficulties, cancers, reproductive problems, etc, leading to inequalities in access to resources for women, which need to be urgently addressed.
Despite women's active role in the circular economy, gender equality often remains an afterthought in these decision-making spaces. For example, at this year's COP29, only 8 out of 78 world leaders present are women, highlighting a persistent gender gap in climate leadership.This oversight hinders their full participation and slows progress toward a sustainable, circular economy. A gender-equal framework is essential to address these barriers, promote inclusivity and advance global sustainability efforts.
Breaking Barriers in the Circular Economy
Addressing these gender disparities in CE can significantly accelerate sustainable development. Studies show that women-led companies are more likely to prioritize environmental, social and governance factors. Women also tend to consider environmental impacts in economic decisions, which can lead to more sustainable practices when they are included in leadership roles.
To support women’s leadership in CE, international initiatives are making headway. For instance, the UN’s WeEmpowerAsia program (in partnership with the EU) estimates that empowering women in climate action could boost global GDP by $4.5 trillion by 2025. Similarly, EIT Climate-KIC’s partnership with the Westerwelle Foundation in Tanzania launched the AfroGreen Accelerator to support women-led startups with funding and training, fostering gender equity in green innovation.
Future considerations and Call for Action
A gender-inclusive approach is crucial for innovation, gaining various perspectives on the climate crisis, and collaboration to foster a sustainable future.
Women’s inclusion in CE and climate decisions is not only an equity issue but an environmental and economic imperative. They bring unique insights and skills to environmental management and development, making them more sustainable consumers and adopters of eco-friendly behaviors. Their inclusion is crucial for climate resilience, enabling informed and targeted decisions to address environmental, social and economic issues.
It is our duty to take action to empower women in circular economy and sustainability decisions to fight climate change. We can make significant changes through partnerships, collaborations and policy frameworks developed to support and include women’s perspectives, opinions and skills on sustainability and climate action.