To be successful, climate solutions need to be more inclusive, innovative and collaborative…simply put, they require Women in Climate.

Celebration of Life A woman stands in amazement at a beautiful sunset at Tepona Point at Luffenholtz Beach on the Northern California coast. © Adam Mowery/TNC Photo Contest 2023

Uniting women to solve the climate crisis
© TNC

Women lead the way.

As part of TNC’s comprehensive climate strategy, Women in Climate is uniting women from all backgrounds to solve the climate crisis. To save the planet, climate solutions need to be more inclusive, collaborative and innovative…simply put, they require Women in Climate.

Women are fighting to address the impacts of climate change in every sector—as scientists, philanthropists, legislators, tribal leaders and CEOs—and leading major victories for our planet.

We mean ALL women— cisgender, transgender, femme/feminine-identifying, genderqueer, and nonbinary individuals—all of whom bring unique experiences and perspectives to this conversation.

Women challenge existing power structures and traditional notions of what climate action entails. Crucially, women take an intersectional approach, building inclusive, trust-based, and resilient networks that center the knowledge and perspectives of diverse community-led and structurally excluded groups.

Additionally, women leaders play major roles in emergency responses to disaster, developing gender-responsive climate solutions and building alternatives for just transitions. Women leaders played a critical role in negotiating the Paris Agreement and continue to drive ambitious climate action in cities, businesses and NGOs around the world. Women make up more than half the world’s population and are often disproportionately impacted by climate change. Their leadership and participation are critical to seeing us through this global crisis.

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With your support, we can unite a diverse coalition of women leaders.

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Three woman look out at Victoria Falls, between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Awestruck Three woman look out at Victoria Falls, between Zimbabwe and Zambia. © Harry Randell / TNC Photo Contest 2018

Our Vision and Impact

Our vision is to unite and support all women driving equitable solutions to climate change. Specifically, our three main goals are: 

o   Create a diverse, global network of women advancing natural climate solutions, which will create opportunities for inclusive conversations, mobilize collaborative action that supports their work, establishes new alliances and advances them as climate leaders.

o   Advance viable climate-centered ideas and activities focused on reducing/sequestering carbon and conserving land and coastal ecosystems by providing support, funding and partnership opportunities within and outside the WIC network.

o   Mobilize the WIC network to empower their collective voice and interdisciplinary expertise in advocating for inclusive and intersectional climate-focused policies on national levels.

Quote: Taylor Mayes

There was such a rich diversity of professional experiences and social backgrounds — that made everything really dynamic and fruitful. The sistership and solidarity was really present in the room.

Planner I, Boston Planning and Development Agency

Impactful, Strategic and Innovative

Sara E. Mhyre of the Rowan Institute called the Innovation Lab she attended "the most impactful, strategic, innovative and emotional experience I have had as a scientific leader." Read More

Women in Climate has created a network of over 180 people who share a common drive to address the global climate crisis. These women have had the opportunity to collaborate in-person, build off one another’s ideas, and tap into each other’s resources and know-how.

Innovation Labs are an important part of WIC’s strategy. These high-level, multiday summits bring together business, tribal, scientific, political, nonprofit and social justice leaders. These gatherings provide space for women to brainstorm innovative climate change solutions, devise plans to implement them, and forge new alliances to socialize and replicate them in other geographies. Here, real solutions focused on intersectionality, climate policy and natural climate solutions are developed and vetted for advancement. 

And participants of Innovation Labs take their experiences into the world with them.

“Since the WIC Innovation Lab, I have partnered with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) on a grant to work with kids exposing them to the estuary that surrounds us,” said Tia Clark of Casual Crabbing with Tia.  “Through this grant the kids were able to plant spartina, or shoreline grass, in a greenhouse built at their school. They learned to crab, to fish and about marine stewardship all while gaining experience on the water and outside of a typical classroom. These are things they would never have done before.

“I have also joined the sustainability board with the South Carolina Aquarium, and I was appointed to the Marine Advisory Committee by our SCDNR. I had not previously seen myself as the person who should be doing any of these things, but being at the event opened my eyes to more of my potential.”

A large group of people gather together and pose for a group photo at the Women in Climate conference.
Collaboration Women in Climate demonstrates new ways of working across diverse sectors for greater impact. © Katie Basile
Several people sit across from each other on outdoor benches and have a discussion at the Women in Climate conference.
Lifting Each Other Up Our events encourage women to do what we do best: Engage in respectful, authentic dialogue so we can bring our whole selves for whole solutions. © G. Garland Lewis

Highlights from the Women in Climate Network

See more from the amazing women that make up our Women in Climate Network

  • Portrait of Stephanie Holthaus

    Driving Climate Action

    Women in Climate co-founder Stephanie Holthaus was named one of six women who are changing how conservation is done at TNC in Nature Conservancy magazine. Read the Article

  • Harvesting salmon is a summertime focus for many in Bristol Bay communities. Keeping traditions like these alive and well remains a shared priority

    Cooking with a Media Mogul

    Alaska commercial fisher Hannah Heimbuch shows Martha Stewart how to fillet Alaskan caught fish on an episode of Martha Cooks. Watch Now

  • Streaming Science podcast logo

    Sharing Expertise with Students

    Women in Climate member Mary Tullis Engvall is just one of many WIC members who have been featured on the Streaming Science podcast. Listen Now

  • Julie Kuchepatov, co-founder of Seafood and Gender Equality

    Honors in Sustainable Seafood

    Julie Kuchepatov, co-founder of Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE), won the Alliance Spirit Award from the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions. Watch Her Video

Download

Strategic Plan

A Road Map to Meet Women in Climate's Goals

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Women in Climate Needs More Voices

A groundswell of women rising to tackle climate change is critical to solving this global crisis. Contact us to find out how you can support this work or learn more about joining the network.