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The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” It’s not just a celebration – it’s a call to action. And one that is certainly welcome in the climate movement and sustainability field.

The sustainability gender gap

Research suggests that women* are more engaged in sustainability and climate-friendly behaviour than men – they litter less and recycle more; they’re more likely to eat a plant-based diet, own an electric car, and support environmental policies.

But in the professional field of sustainability, women remain underrepresented. A survey of 496 sustainability experts in 75 countries found that only 39 percent identify as female, although newcomers to the profession are more likely to be women. Of those who did not identify as a male, more than one-third said discrimination has negatively affected their career in sustainability.

The importance of intersectionality

As previously highlighted in our blog on women’s role in the climate emergency, it’s important to emphasise that women cannot be grouped into a ‘one-size-fits-all’ category, that is either:

• Intrinsically more connected to or cares more about the environment.
• Equally vulnerable to climate change, or how gender inequality exacerbates – or is exacerbated by – its impacts.

That is why this year’s theme is so important. We must ensure rights, equality and empowerment for all women to deliver climate action that is inclusive and fair. This means listening to and amplifying the varied experiences and voices of all women and involving them in the solutions for a stable climate and a sustainable future.

So, below, we spotlight a selection of the wonderfully unique and equally important journeys, experiences and roles in sustainability of some of the women in our team.

Marjolein Thickett – Communicator, Strategiser

With a background in translation and sales/marketing, I was passionate about sustainability but doubted my fit. While I was using my skills as a translator to amplify voices in this sector, I never saw a clear path into the field for myself. Like many women, I focused on the 10% of roles I couldn’t do, rather than the 90% I could. Stats show men apply for jobs when they meet 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate unless they tick every box. What I didn’t know was how valuable my existing skills were. As David Attenborough put it; “Saving our planet is now a communications challenge.” My ability to simplify complex information and build relationships proved essential. Sustainability needs strong communicators, strategists, influencers, all of which I had experience in.

Still, stepping into this often male-dominated space wasn’t easy. At 39, I wanted a bigger role in climate action but without a PhD in my pocket, confidence was low. But sustainability isn’t just for scientists. It needs problem-solvers, organisers and communicators too. Women excel in these areas, with studies showing we have stronger connections between brain hemispheres, enhancing verbal skills, emotional intelligence and big-picture thinking.

If you’re a woman looking to enter sustainability, don’t underestimate your strengths. Our voices are needed. Find mentors, communities and allies who can support you. Sustainability is collaborative by nature, so we don’t have to do it alone.

Bhagyashree Chunekar – Analytical-thinker, Barrier-breaker

This picture is from a sustainability innovation challenge hosted by Unilever at Cranfield University around this time last year. The winning team in the picture includes three women with diverse backgrounds in STEM and Psychology, each with a degree in sustainability and a flourishing start as sustainability professionals in 2025.

I reminisce on this day as it brings back a memory that raises an important question as a woman working in sustainability. The memory is that of presenting an analytical view of our technical solution in the competition that comprised quantitative data and a numerical analysis. “We need to see more women come forward to present data and numbers”.

It had never occurred to me until then that the world still holds a divided view, and how much more work is needed for that view to attain normalcy. Yes, women can, and more women will. And that responsibility is something that lies on the shoulders of every woman overcoming barriers, across any field, in any part of the world. This may be just the start in sustainability, but as we seek the roles of influence to challenge these notions, as a woman, I feel even more driven to lead in sustainability and hope to see the strength in more women to challenge the norms in this field.

Helen Taylor – Nurturer, Shapeshifter

My relationship with nature stemmed from childhood experiences- climbing trees, paddling in streams and watching my mum garden. As a nurse working in London, I sought refuge on Hampstead Heath in the women’s swimming pond and its community. I discovered hill walking during my twenties, and the Lake District landscapes, alongside Regents Canal in London, became my stomping ground. It wasn’t until I completed a BSc and studied soil, plant science and peatlands, that I really understood what was beneath my feet and the wonder of photosynthesis. I have always had a strong environmental ethos, and I took my caring nature from nursing to the natural environment and my patients became the plants, trees and landscapes- my habitat.

Sustainability has been a consistent thread throughout all of my roles, although more through an environmental lens, but it wasn’t until beginning an MBA that I realised that what I had been doing was sustainability in action. Since then, I have harnessed all of my experience and knowledge to encourage others to adopt sustainable practices through whichever approach or framework best suits their context. I have shape-shifted and altered my language to align with the needs of my audience and used the levers available to facilitate the change needed for a sustainable future. I have met many barriers, faced challenges and continue to learn as much as I can in a fast-paced field but, despite the obvious setbacks, my commitment and interest doesn’t wain.

Saaniya Sharma – Creative thinker, Path-carver

My experience as a woman in sustainability has been about carving out space for myself and finding my creative voice. I started my career in fashion, drawn to its creativity and fast-paced energy. But over time, I began to see the bigger picture — the sheer scale of waste, overproduction, and exploitation built into the system. It felt like I was stuck in a cycle that wasn’t leading anywhere good, and I knew I wanted my work to create real change.

Taking a leap of faith, I pursued a master’s in sustainability, hoping to use my skills for something more meaningful. As a woman of colour from the Global South, I had already worked hard to carve out a place for myself in fashion — only to find that sustainability could feel like its own kind of bubble, where certain voices and perspectives weren’t always part of the conversation.

That’s when I came across Carbon Literacy, an organisation that took a chance on me and gave me the space to channel my creativity into real climate action. The most rewarding part of this journey has been working in a field where impact is tangible, collaboration drives change, and the mission is bigger than any one of us.

Rebecca Stacey – Generational Guide, Optimistic Voice

I career changed to work in sustainability – but really, even when I was a teacher, working with children and families to ensure their future was always part of me. Schools have a unique voice, and are in a critical position to highlight the solutions, the possibilities and the way forward. We can educate, can encourage and can develop. An optimistic voice can be missing sometimes, it can be perceived to be weak, or it can be lost in the noise of hyperbole. But it’s vital and we can amplify it – we can highlight the experiences of the younger generation, the ideas, their passions.

Being a woman working in sustainability is a multi-generational task. We’re working to ensure that the generation coming up can experience our planet in a way that will support their dreams, and the dreams of their children and grandchildren.

Farah Lodhi – International Educator, Climate Justice Advocate

I have a background in water resources management and climate change from SOAS London (CEDEP dept), where I worked in association with Fauna and Flora International in collaboration with Mataram University, Indonesia and partners spearheading water projects for cocoa farmers and women in agriculture. Prior to this, I worked in translation and teaching in Shanghai, China completing my research MLitt in Chinese studies at Newcastle University focusing on anthropology, migration/exile, and human rights and completed my fieldwork research with Uyghur communities based in Shanghai.

I have lived and worked in China, Kenya, Indonesia, Spain, and Italy on educational and environmental campaigns and projects centredcentered around human rights, water and climate change issue and I bring this lived global experience to my training and Carbon Literacy advocacy role. This is such an important part of what I do, as it is hugely important to amplify the voices of women of colour in sustainability. I have designed and delivered my 12th CLP business train-the-trainer and currently deliver Carbon Literacy and sustainability training to global corporates with an emphasis on climate justice across supply chains.

Accelerating Action

Women are shaping the future of sustainability, but there’s still more to do.

At The Carbon Literacy Project, we believe in empowering everyone with the knowledge and tools to drive climate action.

This International Women’s Day, we encourage you to highlight the women in your network who are accelerating climate action. If you’re a woman in sustainability – or aspiring to be – share your own story or amplify the voices of others who inspire you. Tag #CarbonLiteracy in your posts alongside #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction to help us spot and amplify them!

Together, we can shape a more inclusive climate movement.

*We use the term women to describe all those that identify as such.