Across Asia and the Pacific, climate change is intensifying existing social and economic inequalities, particularly for women. Often described as a “threat multiplier,” climate change worsens vulnerabilities during disasters, where women face additional challenges due to restricted mobility, heavy unpaid care responsibilities, and limited access to land, credit, and financial resources. These barriers reduce their ability to cope with climate shocks and have long-term consequences for their health, safety, and livelihoods. According to United Nations estimates, under a worst-case climate scenario, 236 million more women could face hunger by 2050—over 100 million more than men.
The financial burden of climate impacts is also significant. In rural Bangladesh, women-headed households spend up to 30 percent of their total expenditure on climate risk reduction, which is twice the average for other households. Despite earning lower incomes and possessing fewer assets, these households bear heavier economic losses, highlighting the unequal impact of climate-related crises.
Addressing gender inequality in climate action is not only a matter of social justice but also essential for economic stability in the region. UN Women estimates that climate shocks could push an additional 158 million women and girls into extreme poverty by 2050, including a gender gap of 16 million more women than men. Investing in gender-responsive climate finance can help change this trajectory by ensuring that climate solutions address the realities faced by women and reach the most vulnerable communities.
Targeted investments in climate adaptation can also generate economic benefits. Closing gender gaps in farm productivity and wages could increase global GDP by nearly $1 trillion and reduce food insecurity for around 45 million people. When women are fully included in climate adaptation efforts, communities become more resilient and sustainable development outcomes improve.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Finance Network is working across the Asia-Pacific region to promote gender-responsive climate finance. These efforts include supporting governments in countries such as Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to track how climate investments reach vulnerable groups, improving data-driven budgeting, and designing financial products for climate-affected communities. In Bangladesh, initiatives are underway to develop climate-focused financial services and promote green and social bonds to mobilize investment.
Projects also focus on strengthening resilient infrastructure and social protection systems. In the Pacific, more than 180,000 people have gained improved access to water, schools, and markets through infrastructure designed with women’s needs in mind. In Tonga, the Climate Change Trust Fund has supported dozens of local projects aimed at building community resilience and improving safety nets.
Efforts are also being made to expand opportunities in emerging green markets. Financial initiatives in countries such as Malaysia, Nepal, and Bangladesh are supporting women-led businesses and community groups involved in climate-smart agriculture, forest management, and sustainable enterprises. By addressing financial barriers and creating targeted support systems, these programmes aim to increase women’s participation in climate-related economic activities.
Through partnerships such as the Gender and Climate Finance Collective, led with UN Women and the United Nations Environment Programme, regional stakeholders are working to expand inclusive climate finance solutions. These initiatives seek to ensure that climate investments are more accessible, data-driven, and responsive to the needs of the communities most affected by climate risks.
As global discussions around climate action continue, the focus on gender equality remains critical. By prioritising women’s rights, leadership, and access to climate finance, organisations such as UNDP aim to build more resilient communities and ensure that climate solutions are inclusive, effective, and sustainable for the future.
