Global #WomenLeadingOnClimate COP29 Campaign

Women and girls call on world leaders to step up their climate action

Baku, Azerbaijan - November 11, 2024

Women and girls from around the world are flooding COP29 leaders today, on this first day of COP29, with messages about how they are acting on climate and demanding urgent, ambitious action from leaders now. The global social media campaign #WomenLeadingOnClimate is rallying the voices of women activists worldwide including Vanessa Nakate, Sophia Kanni, Nathalie Kelley, Arizona Muse, Aditi Mayer, Temilade Olanrewaju, Tori Tsui, Laurel Kivuyo, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Priscila Tapajowara, and Farwiza Farhan with the voices of women and girls in communities globally.

“Now more than ever, we need to hear the voices of women and girls demanding more urgent climate action,” said Catherine McKenna, Founder of Women Leading on Climate and CEO of Climate and Nature Solutions. “Women and girls have been leading on climate action and activism – in boardrooms, in negotiating rooms, in classrooms, on the streets, and in communities around the world. We’re standing together to call on leaders everywhere to step up, listen to women and girls and act with urgency and ambition.”

Launched globally during New York Climate Week in September 2024, Women Leading on Climate is a powerhouse coalition founded by Catherine McKenna, and María Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition. 

The network brings together women and girls committed to creating real, impactful climate solutions and driving a new wave of climate leadership.

As climate change impacts communities across the globe, women are rising to meet the challenge. Studies show that women are 2.5 times more likely to engage on climate issues and 60% more likely to advocate for social good.

Women have long been at the forefront of climate solutions: it was women leaders like Christiana Figueres and Laurence Tubiana who were instrumental in securing the ambitious Paris Agreement, setting a global benchmark for climate action. Research also shows that companies with more women in leadership roles are significantly more likely to implement climate initiatives. And one young girl, Greta Thunberg, sparked a movement that mobilized millions of people worldwide to demand decisive action from their governments. 

“As women, we live the impacts of climate change every day—on our families, our communities, and our economies—and we know that waiting is not an option" said María Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition. "Across the globe, women are rising, demanding stronger climate action, and proving what determined, united leadership can achieve. With this campaign, we challenge leaders to match our resolve with decisive, meaningful action." 

Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, added her voice to this global movement, stating, "Women are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and they are also leading the charge for climate change." Shameela Soobramoney, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, underscored the importance of women’s contributions, stating, “Collective, collaborative action is undoubtedly challenging, yet it is critical to tackling the climate crisis. Women bring the skills, intuition, and ability to navigate this with urgency and an impact-driven focus.” Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, echoed this sentiment: "When women come together around a common purpose, we are unstoppable."

How to join the campaign

All women and girls globally are invited starting November 11th to join the #WomenLeadingonClimate campaign share their stories of climate action and demand that leaders step up and act now on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, using the hashtags #WomenLeadingOnClimate and #COP29.

Event at COP 29

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. AZT, the We Mean Business Coalition hosted a Women Leading on Climate event and reception at the WMBC Business Pavilion in the Blue Zone, bringing together women leaders who are driving impactful climate action.