The untapped potential of women and girls in NDCs

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Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it shapes lives today. Across the globe, women and girls face its harshest impacts. They lose crops, endure heatwaves, and navigate storms while bearing the brunt of caregiving responsibilities. Yet, when countries sit down to plan climate action, these voices often go unheard.

In 2015, countries promised through the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C. They committed to submit Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, every five years. NDCs are national blueprints to cut emissions and build resilience. But in February 2025, when the third round was due, most governments faltered. Only 13 of 195 submitted on time, and now, nine months later, on the eve of COP30, over half of all NDCs are still missing. Every delay means lost opportunities to protect lives and tap into the potential of women and girls as climate leaders.

Gender has slowly entered the NDC conversation. According to the UNFCCC, whereas only 29% of NDCs mentioned gender in the first round, 85% did so in the third round. 

As the third round of NDCs continues to trickle in, we see a positive pattern emerging. An analysis done by GWL Voices of the 64 NDCs submitted by October 31, 2025, shows that so far, 88% mention gender, and 80% explicitly reference women, and 20% (13 countries) remain silent. 

Yet, these numbers alone do not tell the full story. Many of the new NDCs continue to nod to gender with broad statements, without detailing actions or measurable outcomes. Some countries offer glimmers of progress. Saint Lucia created a Gender Focal Point System to integrate gender into national planning. Zambia targets inclusive water infrastructure and community forestry. Cambodia invests in young women pursuing STEM careers. These examples show that when governments act intentionally, they can harness the energy, creativity, and leadership of women and girls.

Energy often leads the way. The Marshall Islands trains women in solar technology. The UAE champions women in renewable energy through its Gender Balance Strategy. The UK promotes the POWERful Women initiative in clean energy, including nuclear. Yet, the sectors where women dominate—agriculture, fisheries, informal work—receive less attention. Girls, despite being one of the groups disproportionately affected by climate impacts due to disruptions in education, increased risk of child marriage, and increased burdens of unpaid care and domestic work, remain largely invisible: Less than half of NDCs reference them. Less than one-fifth of NDCs reference the care work disproportionately carried out by women and girls.  

A majority of NDCs still do not mention women or women’s rights groups as being involved or consulted in the NDC planning process, essential for including their perspectives and priorities in climate plans. 

Even when countries commit to improve women’s representation in decision-making,  few provide concrete strategies to change it. Still, some stand out. The Maldives sets a goal of 30% female representation in climate bodies by 2035. Somalia strengthens women’s organizations and provides access to financial and technical resources. These actions hint at what is possible if governments treat women and girls as central to climate solutions.

Climate finance drives implementation. Only a third of NDCs mention gender-responsive budgeting. Some countries are innovating: the Maldives targets women in fisheries programs, the UAE researches inclusive financing, and the Marshall Islands partners with global banks to implement gender-responsive budgets. Cambodia ensures adaptation investments reach vulnerable communities. Intersectionality appears rarely, but it matters. Only 12 NDCs explore how gender intersects with race, class, or disability.. Without these perspectives, governments risk designing incomplete or inequitable solutions.

Due to countries dragging their feet on submission, both GWL Voices’ analysis, and the official UNFCCC Report on the NDCs are not yet able to paint a conclusive picture. Countries finalizing their NDCs now must prioritize quality over speed, and push forth NDCs that unlock the untapped potential of women and girls for climate action. A gender-responsive NDC examines how climate change affects women and girls differently, uses gender-disaggregated data to inform action, and sets measurable targets. It ensures women access funding directly and strengthens their leadership in climate governance. Most importantly, it transforms women from passive observers to active drivers of climate solutions.

COP30 in Belém, Brazil, will mark a critical moment for gender and climate. The UNFCCC Gender Action Plan, building on the Lima Work Programme on Gender, provides a roadmap to enhance women’s participation, promote parity in decision-making, and embed gender in climate policy. Yet, only 17% of NDCs currently reference this framework. Aligning NDCs with the GAP can accelerate progress and unlock the full potential of women and girls. When countries act ambitiously, they not only reduce emissions—they foster resilience, equity, and innovation.

Women and girls have long stood at the frontline of climate change. Now, it is time for them to stand at the center of climate action. NDCs offer a unique chance. Governments must seize it.

illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.

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