The Climate Load: How climate change impacts women in Australia and the risks and opportunities ahead. With perspectives from the Pacific

The conversation on climate change has shifted dramatically in Australia over the past 12 months as a result of women leading with impact. These women have successfully muscled into spaces where they’ve historically been underrepresented – like politics. But they have also led as activists, as entrepreneurs and innovators, as business and community leaders, and amongst their own families and friends. They’ve led recovery efforts following recent flood and bushfire events. And they’ve led as survivors. 4 We’ve long shared these stories on Women’s Agenda, showcasing inspiring leadership to bring optimism to a subject that otherwise engenders so much despair: the rapidly changing climate that’s confronting us. We’ve long shared expert-led research, noting how climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, such as gender based violence and abuse. Our hope now with this report is to provide a comprehensive analysis on how climate change is impacting women already in Australia, and will continue to do so in the future. That means examining the impact on women’s health, domestic d family violence, care, economic security, housing and more. But this report also aims to examine leadership responses from women in Australia: politically, across the business sector, in the community, and during disasters. And, as we look to the future, this report delves into the continuing green transition. We examine the opportunities for women in this space, and what we need to do now to ensure adequate representation and equity across these emerging sectors and in what’s set to be a very different future ahead. We’ve also been lucky to interview and hear direct from women leading on climate within their own spheres of influence and expertise. As policymakers and employers consider what can be done to support women’s opportunity, economic security and safety, we see efforts being hampered by climate change. And we firmly believe the gender-based impacts of climate change must be considered. This research shows that family and domestic violence spikes during times of crisis, and in the difficult economic and emotional times that follow. We know women take on an even greater share of unpaid care during a crisis, and that there are key consequences on women’s health outcomes – both mental and physical – that occur during emergencies and changing weather patterns. We hope to demonstrate all of this and more in this report – bringing together existing research across many different areas, while also bringing new ideas and insights to the conversation. And because we know that women and girls outside of Australia are also responding to the climate crisis, we have interviewed women internationally to get their insights, thanks to our partnership with CARE Australia. But ultimately, with the climate crisis, we also see an opportunity to participate in working toward a more positive and equitable future ahead. Already, new jobs and industries are emerging, particularly across renewable energy. This report is made possible thanks to our partners. A special thanks to CARE, who know all too well the need to see this conversation carry across to women and girls in the Pacific. Thank you also to Charles Sturt University – a long-term Women’s Agenda partner that knows the need to highlight the value and contributions of women’s work. And to AGL, which also wants to raise awareness of these critical issues and the role of women in the transition ahead. We will continue to share these stories on Women's Agenda, and we're calling for more ideas to form recommendations to policymakers and employers following this report. Please get in contact at [email protected]