Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland invest in women for a climate-resilient future
Bangkok, Thailand – Asia and the Pacific is particularly affected by the ongoing climate crisis, being the most disaster-prone region in the world. Having less access to information, resources, finance and technologies, women in all their diversity and marginalized groups experience even greater challenges in coping and rebuilding after a crisis.
With International Women’s Day on the horizon, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland today announced their commitment to supporting the second phase of the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies Programme (EmPower) up to 2027, demonstrating a shared commitment to invest in women and strengthen their resilience to climate change.
With USD 21 million in funds committed against the ambitious goal of USD 25 million, the programme brings together the expertise of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Women as well as their partners from governments, civil society, financial institutions and the private sector to unlock finance for women to build climate-resilient livelihoods, and to bring women’s leadership to the forefront of climate action and the just energy transition.
Piloted in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Viet Nam (2018-2022) with support from Sweden, EmPower entered its second phase in 2023 and will now expand to include Indonesia and the Philippines.
“In the face of an evolving climate crisis, the commitment of our partners signals a profound acknowledgment of the criticality of the collective power of women and the most marginalized groups in transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for equitable and sustainable development,” said Alia El-Yassir, Regional Director of UN Women in Asia and the Pacific.
By scaling up innovation, methodologies, and knowledge generated from the first phase, UN Women and UNEP aim to triple the number of women supported by the programme. By the year 2027, more than 100,000 women are expected to benefit from improved access to climate-resilient livelihoods and services.
“Leaving no one behind is central to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. To advance the just transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies and societies, our actions must prioritize the needs of vulnerable and marginalized communities. UNEP appreciates the support of partners for EmPower, which helps to drive these efforts,” said Marlene Nilsson, UNEP’s Regional Director and Representative, a.i. for Asia and the Pacific.