Approximately 1.5 billion women and girls, representing over one-third of the global female population, currently reside in climate “hotspots.”
As of November 12, 2026, new data from UN Women highlights that these individuals face the highest risks from extreme weather, with the potential for 141 million additional women to fall into extreme poverty by 2050.
The geographic reality of this crisis is stark: those most severely impacted often live in nations with the lowest historical responsibility for global carbon emissions.
The economic fallout from a warming planet is not gender-neutral. Data collected across 24 countries indicates that a 1°C rise in average temperature correlates with a 34% higher proportional loss of income for women compared to men, reports AZERTAC. This gap persists because women frequently lack the professional mobility to transition out of climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture when harvests fail.
The climate crisis intensifies the burden of unpaid labor. Women have less time for income-generating activities because they must travel longer distances to secure water and fuel and bear the primary responsibility for caregiving after floods or cyclones.
| Risk Factor | Observed Impact / Statistic |
|---|---|
| Extreme Poverty (2050 Projection) | Up to 141 million additional women/girls |
| Gender-Based Violence Correlation | 21% increase during prolonged drought |
| Energy Poverty | 326 million women/girls lack electricity |
| Ministerial Representation | Only 12% of energy portfolios held by women |
The intersection of climate change and health is particularly acute in the Pacific region. Ahead of the COP31 summit in Turkey, discussions held in Fiji and Tuvalu underscored that women in these island nations bear a disproportionate burden of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes, which are exacerbated by environmental instability.
The Conversation notes that heat-related stress poses unique dangers during pregnancy, while the collapse of local food and water security systems forces a reliance on imported food supplies that are often less nutritious.
The regional health crisis is severe, with non-communicable diseases accounting for 87% of deaths in the Western Pacific. Despite these figures, gender-specific health risks often remain sidelined in global climate negotiations.
While 73% of national climate action plans acknowledge the specific vulnerabilities of women, only one-third of these policies provide a comprehensive framework to address them. UN Women points out that a mere 4% of official development assistance for climate projects explicitly prioritizes gender equality.
“Everywhere in 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. We must guarantee women and girls the same rights, the same access to resources, and the same decision-making power,” said Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, as reported by AZERTAC.
The failure to integrate gender perspectives into climate finance and energy policy—where women hold only 12% of ministerial positions—risks undermining global climate goals. As environmental defenders face increasing harassment, the call for their protection and for the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment has become a central point of advocacy for international agencies.
As Sima Bahous noted, “They will thus help drive the change that our world urgently needs.”
