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Women leaders from the EU private sector have joined forces to launch a new network hosted by the EIB Group.
The network will provide insights on climate action and women’s leadership.
The initiative aims to drive innovative, green and inclusive finance solutions.
The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), made up of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), has launched the Women Climate Leaders Network in response to the urgent challenge of advancing the green transition and building climate resilience. Prominent women leaders from the private sector across all 27 EU Member States are coming together under this initiative to accelerate action on climate change, with 40 members of the network meeting for the first time over two days at the EIB Group headquarters in Luxembourg.
The importance of women's leadership in the development and implementation of climate solutions is widely acknowledged. Many countries are integrating gender equality into various high-priority sectors via their national climate action plans. However, the number of women business leaders in the field is still limited, while EIB research shows that women-led firms achieve higher environmental, climate, social and governance scores. Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and keeping global warming to a safe level will require the involvement of more women, with their presence in leadership roles being encouraged.
The Women Climate Leaders Network meets the need for a strong, high-level participation. Its members will share knowledge and best practices for accelerating climate action, and work on new business models and ways to enable the low-carbon and green transformation.
EIB President Nadia Calviño said: “To ensure that the green transition is attainable for all, we must support affordable solutions that deliver competitiveness, climate action and social cohesion. By joining forces with prominent women from the private sector, I am confident that the new Women Climate Leaders Network will provide fresh ideas and momentum for more transformational investment.”
EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt said: “Through our research, we know that women still lack access to finance and that a gender finance gap persists in the European venture capital ecosystem. Addressing this gap and highlighting women’s leadership will boost climate, environmental and social innovations, as gender diverse companies tend to incorporate more sustainability into their innovation efforts. I am convinced that our collective effort through the Women Climate Leaders Network can make a difference.”
The Women Climate Leaders Network comprises 51 professionals with diverse careers, sector expertise, ages, nationalities and educational backgrounds from the 27 EU Member States. They range from fund managers and heads of sustainability and environmental management to CEOs and founders of venture capital funds. The network is chaired by EIB Secretary-General Barbara Balke, EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt and Director General of the EIB Projects Directorate Laura Piovesan.