UNSDG5 - Gender Equality and Climate Action - An Inclusive Approach

Climate change and gender equality may seem like important but disparate issues. The World Economic Forum reports that climate change accentuates the gap between genders even more. Agriculture is a key area of employment for women in developing countries, and climate change means working conditions become more erratic and dangerous for those working in the fields. From the article:

“Climate change is a “threat multiplier”, meaning it escalates social, political and economic tensions in fragile and conflict-affected settings. As climate change drives conflict across the world, women and girls face increased vulnerabilities to all forms of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, human trafficking, child marriage, and other forms of violence.”

UAE Making Us WiSER

Empowering women is crucial for achieving environmental sustainability, something echoed by Masdar, the Arab International Women’s Forum and Women In Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER), who have been hosting strategic meetings around the world, culminating in a strong program at COP28 itself.

Here, the focus should be broader, looking at equality and accountability, as women play a pivotal role in environmental conservation and climate resilience. When women are empowered with equal opportunities and resources, they can contribute significantly to climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Climate Change & Gender Inequality Interconnectedness

I also perceive climate change and gender equality as interconnected strands of the sustainable development fabric. The global challenges we face today require holistic solutions that recognise the intersectionality between gender, environment, and sustainable development.

In this article, as part of our #17weekstoCOP28, I'll share the perspectives of my colleagues Raya Makawi, Tina Monk and Romy Kenyon, who have been steadfast in synthesizing gender equality ambitions with our robust climate action strategies. These reflections align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (UNSDG 5), advocating gender equality and commitments as we approach COP28, focusing on accelerated climate actions.

Tina Monk of WLF & Men As Advocates

We’re championing women’s involvement in our sustainability projects, ensuring equal representation in decision-making processes and leveraging their unique perspectives and solutions for environmental conservation. I wanted to share my colleague Tina Monk , 3M Country Leader for Denmark and EMEA Sustainability Leader.

Monk’s article on the same topic of equality calling out two of the initiatives central to 3M’s progress in this area: Women Leadership Forum and Men As Advocates, both crucial in empowering women at all stages of their 3M journey to leverage the equal opportunities we deserve. It's inspiring stuff, and it's great to see this happening around the globe in our offices!

Diversity of Thoughts

The innovation journey at 3M requires diverse thought, considering environmental impact and gender equality as primary drivers. Our product development teams in EMEA are structured to balance gender representation, enabling us to develop environmentally sound and socially equitable solutions. These innovative solutions, whether to reduce carbon emissions or foster resource efficiency, are geared to support our commitment to COP28 and UNSDG 5 simultaneously. They reflect our integrated approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities arising at the intersection of gender and climate change.

Collaborating for the Future

Partnerships are vital in 3M’s mission to align gender equality with climate action. We collaborate with NGOs, government bodies, and other corporations to amplify our impact. These partnerships allow us to leverage collective intelligence, resources, and efforts to achieve shared goals related to gender equality and climate change. 3M is actively involved in initiatives that promote women's roles in environmental sustainability, supporting projects and policies that recognize and enhance women’s contributions to climate-related activities.

Driving Gender Equity from the Inside Out

Recently, another of my colleagues in the Middle East, Nahla Ismail co-created an award, especially for those people who played a key part as an inspiring role models in the gender balance space; you can read more here:

Our employees are our greatest asset in actualizing our gender equality and climate change objectives. We encourage our employees in the EMEA region to advocate for gender equality and environmental sustainability both within and outside the organization. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and environmental consciousness, we aim to inspire our employees to become change agents in their communities, contributing to the larger global goals of gender equality and climate action.

DEI Report

The strategic alignment of our gender equality goals with our climate action initiatives helps optimise resources and enhance the efficacy of our sustainability efforts. It reflects a concerted effort to internalize the principles of UNSDG 5 and COP28 into our corporate ethos and operational frameworks in the EMEA region. You can read our impact report to learn how 3M drives this.

Building for a Sustainable Future

Finding the unique denominator between gender equality and climate action is not just a corporate responsibility but a moral imperative for 3M EMEA. It’s about understanding the synergies between empowering women and preserving our planet and leveraging these synergies to create a more sustainable and equitable world. Through thoughtful leadership, strategic alignments, and sustainable innovations, we continue to advance our dual commitments to gender equality and climate change mitigation, setting the stage for a future where both people and the planet can thrive.