The white paper "Women in Climate Leadership" highlights the crucial role of women in addressing the climate crisis by bringing diverse perspectives, innovative solutions, and community-centered resilience to climate action. Despite being disproportionately affected by climate change due to gender disparities, women have emerged as powerful leaders in sustainability, policy-making, and grassroots initiatives. The Qatar National Dialogue on Climate Change (QNDCC) 2024 recognized these contributions through the "Doha Climate Talk: Women’s Leadership in Climate Change" panel, which emphasized the necessity of dismantling barriers that hinder women’s participation in climate leadership. The report underscores that gender equality and climate resilience are deeply interconnected—women’s empowerment enhances sustainability efforts, and inclusive climate governance ensures long-term social and environmental benefits. Case studies from Qatar and international contexts illustrate how women-led initiatives have driven positive change, from renewable energy projects and climate-smart agriculture to policy advocacy and global climate negotiations.
The paper further identifies key challenges, including gender stereotypes, restricted access to resources, underrepresentation in decision-making, and lack of institutional support, which limit women's influence in climate leadership. To overcome these challenges, it proposes strategic actions such as expanding educational and financial access, increasing female representation in climate governance, fostering mentorship programs, and leveraging women's expertise in community resilience. It highlights successful women-led initiatives in Qatar, such as sustainability-focused research institutions and youth-driven environmental movements, as well as global examples like the Green Belt Movement in Kenya and the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan. The white paper concludes that achieving climate resilience requires inclusive leadership and systemic changes that empower women, ensuring that their contributions shape a more sustainable and equitable future.