In the realms of Sustainability, Innovation, and Cooperation, women are playing an increasingly influential role, particularly in digital climate technology, which is the focus of this article. However, opportunities abound for women to expand their influence even further. This article spotlights women influencing the digital climate tech sector and the remarkable sustainable innovations they have pioneered, as well as the cooperation required for gender-responsive climate action. Research highlights a significant gender disparity in women in tech: globally, women fill only 27.6% of technology roles. A study by Partech shows that in the African tech landscape, female-founded startups receive only 13% of total venture capital. These statistics underscore the pervasive underrepresentation of women in technology, a trend that likely extends to the digital climate tech sector. The disparity presents a critical opportunity to bridge the gender gap. As the world convened for COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, it was encouraging to observe discussions focused on gender-responsive climate action. That underscores the necessity for each sector involved in climate action, including technology, to make a concerted effort towards gender mainstreaming.
The Transformative Impact of Digital Climate Technology
Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain technology, and other innovative tech solutions are revolutionizing digital climate technology. These technologies facilitate transformative solutions across various climate tech sectors, including renewable energy for the just energy transition, climate-smart agriculture, climate management, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles, among others. They play a pivotal role in climate mitigation, sustainability, and adaptation efforts.
A prime example of this transformative impact is Google’s flood forecasting initiative. This initiative leverages advanced AI and geospatial analysis to provide real-time information on riverine floods, aiding communities and individuals in their preparedness and response efforts. Additionally, Google employs AI in combating environmental challenges such as floods, wildfires, and extreme heat through its Environmental Insights Explorer platform.
Another innovative tool from Google is the Tree Canopy tool that is part of the Environmental Insights Explorer. This tool combines AI with aerial imagery to identify shaded areas within cities. The data collected are crucial for urban planning, helping cities strategically plant more trees to mitigate heat.
Emerging technologies are not limited to global giants. For instance, Amini, a woman-founded Kenyan-based climate tech startup, is bridging the environmental data gap in Africa. Amini harnesses data from satellites and integrates it with other datasets, including sensors, research, and ground truthing. This integration provides valuable insights into biodiversity, soil health, crop health, and farming practices, such as water and fertilizer use. The startup’s platform facilitates the creation of real-time monitoring tools and machine learning models, supporting diverse actions, including flood detection.
Kate Kallot is the founder and CEO of Amini and emphasizes that their data aggregation platform utilizes artificial intelligence and space technologies. This approach makes environmental data on Africa readily accessible, helping in decision-making and enhancing transparency in supply chains. This initiative received recognition, including significant funding, as reported by TechCrunch in their article on Amini’s seed round.
Exploring the Pivotal Role of Women in Digital Climate Tech
The role of women is increasingly essential in the vital field of climate technology, which is critical for addressing the climate crisis. Women, once underrepresented in STEM, are now key change agents in digital climate tech, offering innovative solutions and leading initiatives crucial in combating climate change.
Women bring necessary diversity and inclusivity to the digital climate tech sector. Their participation ensures that solutions are well-rounded, catering to a broad spectrum of needs. Beyond technical contributions, women are influential in policy-making and advocacy, highlighting the unique ways climate change impacts women, particularly in developing nations. They advocate for inclusive climate policies that address the needs of everyone, including the most vulnerable.
The leadership of women in climate tech also inspires future generations. Their success stories encourage more young women to pursue STEM careers, especially in climate-related fields. Furthermore, the rise of women-led investments in climate tech marks a significant shift towards sustainable and socially responsible ventures. This fosters innovation in the sector and supports gender equity in entrepreneurship. At the community level, women are pivotal in local sustainability initiatives, driving grassroots movements essential for meaningful climate action.
COP28: Highlighting Women’s Influential Role in Digital Climate Tech
COP28 dedicated a significant amount of time to discussions on gender-responsive climate action, as well as AI and digital technologies for climate action. Hillary Clinton emphasized that we need to apply a gender lens to everything coming out of COP28. Key discussions at the intersection between gender and digital climate tech included:
- Big Data on Gender for Climate Action: The focus on gender data as a foundation to gain insights into gender inequalities in climate action was prominent. Big data is a key building block for artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Specifically, for climate action, gender data is crucial in monitoring gender inequalities to inform policy and other decisions for inclusivity. The push for women’s voices advocating for gender inclusivity in climate data was encouraging.
- Accelerating Climate Action with AI: BCG and Google provided their perspectives on this topic, sharing insights from their report – “Accelerating Climate Action with AI.” Current statistics show that we are on a path falling short of the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming target, potentially reaching 2.1 to 3.6 degrees by 2050. AI can play a transformative role in helping us move faster and at scale to achieve the target. Kate Brandt, Google’s Chief Sustainability Officer and a key figure in the aforementioned report and topic, leading the COP28 conversations on AI for climate action is a testament to the increasing influence of women in this area, serving as a positive role model for aspiring women in digital climate tech.
Opportunities to Expand Women’s Influence in Digital Climate Tech
- Innovation: As founders and innovators, women have the opportunity to establish companies that contribute to solving the climate crisis. In doing so, they pave the way for other aspiring founders in this sector. Take, for instance, Ormex, a woman-founded and led company in France. It is a climate tech firm that offers transparent and scalable carbon offsets through regenerative agriculture, aligning with Scope 2 & 3 emissions targets and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ormex provides a blockchain-based registry for verifiable carbon credits, enabling direct transactions between carbon offset buyers and project holders.
- Financing: Women who have overcome the challenges of underrepresentation often seek to positively impact the areas where they previously faced disadvantages. Women-led venture capital firms, therefore, are inclined to support other women in breaking similar barriers. That presents a significant opportunity for women in climate tech to influence and assist their peers, creating a multiplier effect. For instance, Chloe Capital, a venture capital firm focusing on women-led technology companies, has partnered with Cornell University and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to launch ‘Diversity in ClimateTech.’ This program fosters a more diverse and inclusive environment for women founders innovating in climate tech, thus changing the world with their unique technological solutions.
- Policy Making: Governments can foster an environment conducive to innovation with a focus on gender equity. For example, the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) in the U.S. Department of State launched the Innovation Station initiative in July 2021 to amplify the efforts of women and girls in continuing to solve climate-related community challenges. They provide a platform for building relationships with international communities, developing collaborations, and sharing their work with a global audience.
- Thought Leadership: Women in climate tech, such as Lubomila Jordanova, CEO and co-founder of Plan A, are pivotal as thought leaders, influencers, and role models. Plan A, a technology-driven sustainability platform, assists over 1,500 companies in achieving net-zero emissions through tools for data collection, carbon footprint assessment, and sustainability reporting. Jordanova, a recognized influencer and LinkedIn Top Voice, is instrumental in discussions around climate change, green technology, and corporate sustainability, exemplifying female leadership in this evolving sector.
- Collaborations: They are key in advancing women in climate tech. Amazon and USAID have launched a $53 million initiative, emphasizing gender equity and support for women in this field. The initiative includes a $3 million investment in the Climate Gender Equity Fund and $50 million from Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund for women-led climate tech companies. The aim is to empower female entrepreneurs, aligning with broader gender equality and sustainability goals, and bolstering Amazon’s commitment to gender equity in climate technology.
Conclusion
The role of women in digital climate technology transcends equality; it is essential for fostering innovative, inclusive, and effective climate solutions. The unique perspectives, skills, and methods of women are indispensable in tackling the complex challenges of climate change. As their influence in this arena grows, it is crucial to bolster and extend their roles through targeted policies, funding, collaborative efforts, and platforms that enhance their voices. Importantly, men, as allies, are integral in supporting these endeavors and achieving gender parity. The future of digital climate tech is not merely about technology; it is intrinsically connected to the active involvement and leadership of women alongside supportive male allies, shaping a sustainable and equitable world for all.
References
- Gender Data for Climate Action: COP28 and Beyond. Data2X, IISD, IUCN, WEDO (2023). https://data2x.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Designed-Gender-Data-COP28-Brief_11.21.23.pdf
- Putting the ‘Revolution’ Back into ‘Data Revolution’(2023). Data2X. https://data2x.org/resource-center/putting-the-revolution-back-into-data-revolution/
- COP28, UN Climate Change Events (2023). https://www.youtube.com/@UNClimateChangeEvents
- Accelerating Climate Action with AI Report (2023). Boston Consulting Group and Google. https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/how-ai-can-speedup-climate-action