Women in Sustainability: 63% Now Hold Executive Roles
A decade ago, women in sustainability were largely underrepresented in leadership. Today, that landscape is shifting. In 2025, 29% of executive roles in general & 63% of sustainability executives roles in big companies are held by women, a significant jump from 17% in 2015. The rise of female-led sustainability initiatives, climate tech startups, and corporate ESG leadership is proving that women are driving change at every level.
From pioneering circular economy solutions to leveraging blockchain for verified sustainability impact, women are leading some of the most transformative environmental efforts worldwide. Yet, while progress is undeniable, there is still room for growth. As more organizations recognize the value of diverse leadership in tackling climate challenges, the future looks brighter for women leading sustainability.
In this article, we explore how far women have come, the groundbreaking initiatives they are leading, and what’s next for female leadership in sustainability.
The Rise of Women in Sustainability – A Decade of Progress
For years, sustainability leadership was a space where women’s contributions were often overlooked. That is no longer the case. Women are now shaping policies, leading corporations, and launching groundbreaking environmental initiatives at an unprecedented scale.
Over the past decade, women-led sustainability projects and corporate leadership roles have surged. According to Greenbiz in 2024, women made up 63% percent of sustainability executives, and in many sectors, such as Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) in Fortune 500 companies, this percentage is even higher.
Organizations are increasingly recognizing that diverse leadership leads to stronger climate action, more holistic decision-making, and a greater focus on long-term environmental impact.
Who are the Women Leading Global Sustainability Efforts?
From the corporate world to grassroots activism, female leaders are behind some of the most transformative sustainability efforts today. Their contributions extend across multiple disciplines, from policymaking to technological innovation:
- Christiana Figueres – Architect of the Paris Agreement, the landmark international accord that set global climate action targets.
- Kate Brandt – Google's Chief Sustainability Officer, leading the company’s commitment to achieving complete carbon neutrality by 2030.
- Ellen MacArthur – Founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which pioneers circular economy strategies adopted by leading global businesses.
- Dr. Vandana Shiva – A scientist and environmental activist advocating for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
These leaders represent just a fraction of the women who are actively shaping sustainability worldwide. Their influence demonstrates that sustainability is not only a critical global issue but also an area where diverse leadership is key to success.
The Business Case for Women in Sustainability Leadership
The increased presence of women in sustainability is not just a social milestone—it is a strategic advantage. Studies indicate that companies with diverse leadership perform better on sustainability metrics, achieve higher financial returns, and demonstrate stronger accountability in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting.
A growing body of research suggests that women tend to prioritize long-term environmental impact, transparency, and community engagement—three critical factors in sustainability success. As more organizations recognize the value of female leadership in driving sustainable innovation, this trend is expected to continue.
Progress is happening, and women are leading the way. The next challenge is ensuring that momentum does not stall but rather accelerates in the years ahead. The foundation has been built—now it is time to scale.
Women-Led Sustainability Projects Examples
For decades, sustainability was often seen as the responsibility of corporations, governments, and policymakers. However, women have increasingly emerged as some of the most innovative and impactful leaders in the field, driving real change from the ground up.
Whether through circular economy initiatives, renewable energy projects, or regenerative agriculture, women-led sustainability efforts are not only addressing environmental challenges but also creating stronger, more inclusive economies.
In many communities, women are at the forefront of waste recovery, climate action, and social impact initiatives, proving that sustainability works best when it is locally driven and community-centered.
Daniela Castro, from Reciclador Chile—a verified plastic recovery entity by Plastiks—embodies this mission, leading efforts to combat plastic pollution in vulnerable communities.
"The importance of working with plastic today, and ensuring its circularity, is critical—especially in areas where waste management and pollution are major challenges. It’s a place where we can work collaboratively with the community, making real impact together."
This ethos of community-driven sustainability is at the heart of many women-led initiatives worldwide. Women are leading grassroots movements, corporate sustainability programs, and policy reforms, proving that sustainability cannot be a top-down approach—it must engage and empower communities at every level.
From waste recovery in Latin America to renewable energy projects in Africa and circular economy innovations in Europe, women are not only shaping sustainability but redefining its future.
The following stories showcase some of the most transformative women-led sustainability initiatives that are changing industries, protecting ecosystems, and empowering communities worldwide.
Eco Femme: Revolutionizing Menstrual Health in India
In Tamil Nadu, India, Eco Femme, a women-led social enterprise, has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable menstrual practices.
Founded in 2009, the organization produces organic, washable cloth pads, providing an eco-friendly alternative to disposable sanitary products.
By 2022, Eco Femme had distributed over one million cloth pads, preventing more than 75 million single-use disposable pads from ending up in landfills. Beyond product distribution, they run educational programs to raise menstrual literacy and have partnered with over 80 NGOs and 150 retailers across India.
Solar Mamas: Empowering Rural Women with Renewable Energy
The Solar Mamas initiative, developed by a community-based organisation called Barefoot College, trains illiterate and semi-literate women from impoverished rural areas to become solar engineers. These women learn to assemble, install, and maintain solar panels, bringing sustainable electricity to their previously non-electrified villages.
By 2025, the program had trained 3,500 women from 93 countries, resulting in 2.5 million people gaining access to solar-powered lighting. This initiative not only provides clean energy but also empowers women with new skills and leadership roles within their communities.
Nonhlanhla Joye and the Umgibe Farming Organics and Training Institute
In South Africa, Nonhlanhla Joye, affectionately known as Ma’Joye, founded the Umgibe Farming Organics and Training Institute after a personal battle with cancer. She developed an innovative "plastic bag farming" technique, which conserves water and space, allowing for efficient organic farming.
Her organization has empowered over 160 cooperatives and more than 3,600 individuals, providing sustainable farming techniques and business management skills. This approach has significantly impacted food security and economic independence in her community.
Women in Climate (WIC): A Global Network for Climate Action
The Women in Climate (WIC) initiative is a network of over 180 sustainability leaders dedicated to tackling the global climate crisis.
Through face-to-face collaboration opportunities, WIC convenes leaders from diverse sectors—business, politics, science, and social justice—to brainstorm innovative climate solutions, devise implementation strategies, and establish partnerships that scale these solutions worldwide.
"Climate change is not only a threat, it is, above all, an opportunity to create a healthier, greener, and cleaner planet which will benefit all of us. We must seize this opportunity."
Vanessa Nakate, Ugandan climate activist
These examples illustrate the profound impact of women-led initiatives in driving sustainable change. Whether through waste recovery, clean energy, regenerative agriculture, or climate advocacy, women are leading from the front, fostering innovative solutions, and engaging communities in meaningful ways.
As Daniela Castro from Reciclador Chile and many other women leaders have proven, sustainability is most effective when it is collaborative, community-driven, and designed for long-term impact. The next challenge is ensuring that these models scale, receive more funding, and continue shaping the global sustainability agenda.
The Impact of Female Leadership on Climate Action
Research indicates that countries with a higher proportion of women in parliament are more likely to ratify international environmental treaties. This suggests that female political representation can lead to more robust national policies addressing climate change.
In the corporate sector, a 2021 study by the Weinreb Group found that 54% of Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) in the U.S. were women, nearly doubling from 28% in 2011. This trend underscores the growing influence of women in steering corporate environmental strategies.
Furthermore, companies with higher female representation in leadership positions are more proactive in addressing climate change. They tend to have higher rates of emissions disclosure and implement more stringent environmental policies, highlighting the effectiveness of diverse leadership in corporate sustainability.
Women as Catalysts for Sustainable Consumption
In many societies, women drive 70-80% of all consumer purchasing decisions, positioning them as key influencers in the transition to sustainable lifestyles. They are more likely to recycle, minimize waste, purchase organic and eco-labeled products, and conserve energy and water at home. By leading these behavior changes, women can drive sustainability across various sectors.
Case Study: Indigenous Women's Leadership in Environmental Conservation
Indigenous women play a crucial role in environmental stewardship. For instance, in Ecuador, Nemonte Nenquimo, a Waorani leader, led a successful legal battle against the government to protect 500,000 acres of Amazon rainforest from oil drilling.
Her leadership not only safeguarded biodiversity but also highlighted the importance of indigenous women's voices in environmental conservation.
These examples underscore the significant impact of women's leadership in advancing sustainability initiatives. By embracing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusive decision-making, we can drive more effective and equitable environmental solutions.
What are the Challenges Faced by Women in Sustainability Leadership?
While women’s leadership in sustainability is growing, they continue to face structural and systemic barriers that limit their full potential.
"The most significant barrier to female leadership is the actual lack of females in leadership. The best advice I can give to women is to go out and start something, ideally their own businesses."
Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle Corporation
From funding gaps to underrepresentation in key decision-making roles, the path to leadership is often more challenging for women than for their male counterparts.
Funding and Investment Gaps
Women-led sustainability initiatives face significant disparities in funding. According to the World Economic Forum, only 2.3% of venture capital funding globally goes to women-led startups, a statistic that remains largely unchanged over the past decade. This lack of investment limits the ability of female entrepreneurs to scale impact-driven businesses, clean tech startups, and circular economy initiatives.
In the renewable energy sector, where women make up 32% of the workforce, they hold only 10% of executive positions. Access to funding and resources remains a primary obstacle.
Underrepresentation in Decision-Making Roles
Despite increasing numbers, women remain underrepresented in C-suite sustainability positions and governmental climate leadership roles. A 2023 UN study found that only 15% of environmental ministers worldwide are women, limiting their ability to shape high-level sustainability policies.
For example, the Paris Agreement negotiations saw significant female leadership, yet only 38% of delegates at UN climate talks were women in recent years. The lack of representation means women’s perspectives are often missing in critical policy decisions.
Gender Bias in Corporate Sustainability
Women in corporate sustainability roles often report higher expectations to prove their expertise, despite studies showing that companies with diverse leadership outperform their competitors on ESG and financial metrics.
Here is another example: A report by McKinsey & Company found that companies with more women in executive sustainability roles were 21% more likely to achieve higher profitability—yet gender bias continues to prevent women from advancing to these roles.
The Future of Women in Sustainability: Measurable Impact & Lasting Change
Women are not just leading sustainability efforts—they are redefining how sustainability is implemented and measured. Across industries, they are closing waste loops, innovating within the circular economy, and ensuring corporate responsibility aligns with real environmental action.
Their leadership is creating more resilient systems, transparent policies, and long-term climate solutions that go beyond ambition—they deliver real, measurable impact.
"Empowering women in sustainability isn't just about inclusion—it’s about impact. At Plastiks, we ensure that environmental action is transparent, measurable, and driven by diverse leadership."
Ana Aguilar, COO of Plastiks.io
Many women-led sustainability initiatives struggle with recognition and funding due to a lack of data-backed proof of their contributions. In a world where accountability is key to building trust, ensuring that every recovered material, every waste reduction effort, and every sustainability initiative is verified is essential to accelerating progress.
At Plastiks.io, we are committed to making sustainability transparent, traceable, and truly impactful.
Through blockchain verification and Plastic Credits, we provide a trusted system that ensures sustainability efforts—many of them led by women—are recognized, measured, and rewarded.
With women in high-level executive roles within our own organization, we understand firsthand the value of diverse leadership in driving meaningful change. By ensuring that both our mission and our leadership reflect the principles of inclusivity and transparency, we are actively contributing to a future where sustainability is not just a goal, but a verifiable and equitable movement.
The future of sustainability is diverse, transparent, and data-driven. Women are already shaping it. Now, it is time to ensure their impact is seen, trusted, and amplified. If you’re interested in exploring how Plastiks.io supports verified sustainability efforts, we’d love to connect. Feel free to contact us and book a meeting with our sustainability experts.