Celebrating World Environment Day.
Join us for two engaging panels on women’s leadership in environmental justice and nature-based solutions, gender-responsive climate policy and legal reform, and the importance of trust, unity, and moral leadership in climate governance.
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Arrival time: 10am arrival, 10:30am to 12.30pm
Location: ESE, European School of Economics (London), 11-13 Mandeville Place, W1U 3AJ, London, UK
Room: MacLaren Hall
Click to Register
As the world faces a critical moment for climate action, it is increasingly clear that the paths to sustainability and justice are intrinsically linked and require the empowerment of women and girls for a systematic change.
Without integrating gender equality into sustainability efforts, the goals of the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Agenda 2030 cannot be achieved.
Next Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70 in 2026) will be on the theme of access to justice, hence the topic of ensuring a strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by
promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and addressing structural barriers is essential for discussion.
This session is being proposed during the London Climate Action Week (LCAW) to bring together leaders, advocates, policymakers and grassroot communities to explore how women’s leadership and
decision-making participation are central to climate resilience, environmental justice, and systemic transformation.
The event aims to highlight the essential role of women in driving sustainable, just, and resilient climate solutions and developing not only their capabilities but also of their families and
neighbours with resilience and adaptability to optimise and unlock the potential of each person around them and in themselves.
Therefore, the side event will showcase initiatives, lived experiences and policy recommendations, from diverse local and national communities as inspiration for all of us to support the necessary implementation of international agreements here at home, cascading at the national and local levels
Introduction
Justina Mutale: NAWO, National Alliance of Women’s Organisations, Chair Person and Board Member
Kristin Sharpe: Director, ESE, European School of Economics
Panel 1 – Unequal Burdens: Gender, Climate, and the Structures of Injustice
Understanding the systemic roots of climate injustice and the disproportionate impact on women and marginalised communities and solutions envisioned, with obstacles and achievements.
Elevating women’s leadership and policy innovation with ethical frameworks free of bias for transformational climate action.
Speakers:
Nava Ahmad (Moderator): IEF, International Environment Forum, Board Member.
Canon Otto: FRSA Director, CleanCyclers, Greenplace Healthcare and Global Sustainability Summit.
Sylvia Karlson: University of Wageningen, Associate Professor in Global Public Governance for Sustainability.
Maria Pavlou: Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs of the UK, Public Discourse Officer.
Monica Maghami: NAWO and IF20 (G20) Environment Board Member. Sustainability and Technology Regulatory Lawyer
Panel 2 – Women as catalysts: Leading systemic change for a just and sustainable future
Offering a values-based diagnosis of systemic injustice—emphasising the interconnectedness of all people and the spiritual consequences of inequality. Highlight principles as essential foundations for sustainable, regenerative systems—especially in governance and leadership.
This is a call to dismantle unjust systems and build inclusive, grounded pathways, where women lead the transition to a just and sustainable world.
Speakers:
Monica Maghami (Moderator): NAWO and IF20 (G20) Environment Board Member. Sustainability and
Technology Regulatory Lawyer.
Wendi Momen, MBE: CSWA UK, Commission on the Status of Women Alliance UK Board Member, NAWO Ambassador
Karen Wong: IIED, International Institute for Environment and Development, Senior Researcher.
Sophie Rigg: MEGA, Mobilizing and Earth Governance Alliance, Strategy Lead.
Claudia Martaans: JICA, Jersey International Centre of Advanced Studies, Lecturer. Panama Environmental Lawyer
Structure:
• Each panel will have 5 min intervention by each panellist (20 min in total) and Q&As (10 min).
• 4-5 panellists in each panel + 1 moderator.
• there will be a total of 2 x panels (30 min per panel).
Key Topics:
• Gender-responsive climate policy and legal reforms.
• Climate finance and green entrepreneurship for women.
• Frameworks of cooperation, trust, and unity in governance.
• Just and sustainable future with the leadership of women.
