Sustainable finance benefits from a gender lens

The report highlights significant gender disparities in access to finance and decision-making in climate-related measures, particularly affecting women who depend on natural resources for livelihoods. It emphasises the economic benefits of investing in women, noting lower default rates among women borrowers and their propensity to integrate climate considerations in business decisions. Despite these advantages, many women globally lack access to financial products. The report calls for integrating a gender lens into sustainable finance, urging financial institutions to adopt gender-sensitive strategies, product designs, and data analytics. It also showcases examples of sustainable finance initiatives in Asia and the Pacific that prioritize gender equality, aiming to empower women economically and enhance their participation in climate-resilient projects.