Gender imbalance hinders equitable environmental governance, say UN scientists

Key Findings of the Report: 

• Global Imbalance: Across all three conventions (UNFCCC, UNCCD, CBD), men hold 496 (60%) focal point roles compared to 334 (40%) held by women. 

• Convention Disparities: The UNCCD has the lowest female representation (35%), while the UNFCCC and CBD stand at 41% and 45%, respectively. 

• Regional Gaps: Africa faces the steepest challenge, with women representing only 25% of focal points, whereas Eastern Europe leads with 67% female representation. 

• Exclusive Representation: 51 countries are represented entirely by men across all three conventions, compared to only 17 countries represented entirely by women. 

• Parity is Rare: Only 19 countries (10%) have achieved equal gender representation across their environmental focal points. 

• Leadership Trends: While women are gaining ground in some regions, systemic barriers continue to hinder their appointment to high-level technical and negotiating roles. 

Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada – 25 November 2025: Inclusive representation is fundamental to equitable and effective environmental governance, particularly in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, the three focus areas of the well-known Rio Conventions.  

Women, who are often disproportionately affected by these crises through limited access to resources, health risks, and economic opportunities, bring unique perspectives that are essential for crafting comprehensive policies. Yet, systemic gender imbalances persist, limiting the diversity of voices in decision-making and potentially weakening global responses to the triple planetary crisis. 

A new report by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) analyzes the gender composition of national focal points across the three Rio Conventions: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Based on sex-disaggregated data from 194 UN Member States as of 2024, the report reveals that 60% of focal points — the official representatives of UN Member States—are male (496), compared to 40% female (334). The gap is 10% at the aggregate level globally. However, the report provides further details on the observed disparities across regions and conventions, underscoring the underrepresentation of women in roles that influence agenda-setting, negotiations, and policy implementation in global environmental governance. 

Across all three conventions, 51 countries are represented entirely by men, compared to only 17 countries represented entirely by women. Only 19 countries—approximately 10% of Member States—have achieved full gender balance. 

The report exposes significant regional and institutional disparities. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) exhibits the highest gender imbalance, with men occupying 65% of focal point roles, followed by the UNFCCC (59%) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (55%). Geographically, the gap is widest in Africa, where men account for 75% of representatives compared to just 25% for women. In contrast, Eastern Europe and Western Europe have achieved female majorities in their delegations, at 67% and 54% respectively. 

The analysis underscores how this imbalance reflects broader patterns of exclusion of women from certain parts of the world in global environmental governance. As the world grapples with escalating environmental challenges, the report argues that gender-inclusive governance is not just a matter of equity but a strategic imperative for legitimacy, accountability, and innovative solutions. 

"The persistence of male-dominated leadership in environmental governance is not just a numbers game; it is a systemic failure that limits our ability to generate innovative, equitable solutions," said Professor Grace Oluwasanya, Senior Researcher of Water, Climate and Gender at UNU-INWEH and the lead author of the report. "Without deliberate institutional reforms and targeted capacity-building initiatives, we risk perpetuating policies that fail to address the specific vulnerabilities of women and marginalized communities who suffer the most from environmental crises." 

The study highlights possible deep-seated barriers driving this inequality, including entrenched societal norms, limited access to specialized education and leadership pathways for women, and opaque nomination processes at the national level. Nonetheless, the authors argue that tokenism remains a risk, where women might be appointed to symbolic roles without genuine decision-making power. To counter this, the report outlines urgent recommendations, including the establishment of explicit gender parity targets, the implementation of mentorship and funding programs for female delegates, and the enforcement of transparent selection criteria by Member States. 

"Inclusive governance is a moral imperative and a strategic necessity for the legitimacy and effectiveness of international agreements," said Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH and a co-author of the report. "As we face the triple planetary crisis, we cannot afford to exclude diverse perspectives. The United Nations and its Member States must move from aspiration to accountability to ensure that the decision-making tables truly reflect the diversity of the world they serve." 

Read the publication: 

Oluwasanya, G., Jafarzadeh, S., Omoniyi, A., Abu Shomar, R., and Nunbogu, A., Madani, K.  (2025). Gender Imbalance: Progress and Challenges in Achieving Gender-Inclusive Representation in Global Environmental Governance, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, doi: 10.53328/INR25GRR003. 

Media Contacts: 

• Kyra Bowman, UNU Head of Communications, bowman@unu.edu   

• Shooka Bidarian, Media and Journalism Fellow, Sustainability and Climate, shooka.bidarian@unu.edu 

Available for Interview: 

Professor Grace Oluwasanya, Senior Researcher: Water, Climate and Gender, UNU-INWEH 

Professor Kaveh Madani, Director, UNU-INWEH 

About UNU-INWEH 

The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of 13 institutions comprising the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the United Nations. Established in 1996 through an agreement with the Government of Canada, UNU-INWEH, also known as the UN's Think Tank on Water is headquartered in the City of Richmond Hill, Ontario. UNU-INWEH specializes in addressing critical global security and development challenges at the intersection of water, environment, and health. Through research, capacity development, policy engagement, and knowledge dissemination, the institute bridges the gap between scientific evidence and the practical needs of policymakers and UN member states, with particular attention to low and middle-income countries. By collaborating with a diverse array of partners—including UN agencies, governments, academia, the private sector, and civil society—UNU-INWEH develops solutions that advance human security, resilience, and sustainability worldwide.