AI and Climate

A region at the crossroads of climate and digital change

As climate risks intensify across Asia and the Pacific, the green transition and the rise of generative artificial intelligence open critical opportunities to build more resilient economies, create new livelihoods and accelerate gender-responsive climate solutions. But opportunities are not yet equally shared. Women, young people and marginalized groups face continued barriers to the skills, resources and decision-making spaces needed to define the region’s green and digital future.

What’s at stake?

Limited voice in shaping climate and digital futures

Globally, only 28 per cent of environment ministers and 28 per cent of innovation and technology ministers were women in 2024. In Asia and the Pacific, only one in eight government ministers was a woman in 2023.

Unequal access to AI, STEM and research roles

Women account for only 30 per cent of AI professionals and 16 per cent of AI research roles globally. In Asia and the Pacific, women represent only 23.9 per cent of STEM researchers.

Asia and the Pacific, women represent only 23.9 per cent of STEM researchers.

Unequal access to AI, STEM and research roles

As of August 2023, only 10 per cent of women workers in Asia and the Pacific had at least one green skill or one green job experience. Women make up only 25.5 per cent of renewable energy entrepreneurs in the region.

Limited access to climate-resilient livelihoods

Globally, a 1°C increase in temperature is linked to a 34 per cent greater income loss for female-headed households. Across Asia and the Pacific, women also face barriers to accessing the skills and resources needed to prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters.

The opportunity: turning skills into leadership

For women and young people, leadership in the green and digital transition begins with equal access to skills, tools and opportunities. With the right support, they can take part in decisions that affect their lives, build more secure livelihoods and drive inclusive climate solutions that respond to the needs of their communities.

What leadership looks like in practice

Leading the green and digital/AI transitions means.

Having a voice in climate decisions

Women and young people need skills and options to participate meaningfully in policymaking, advocacy and climate decision-making. Solutions must reflect their priorities, knowledge and realities.

Building climate-resilient livelihoods

Green and AI skills can help women and young people access decent work, entrepreneurship and income, while strengthening their capacity to adapt to climate shocks and economic change.

Turning ideas into inclusive climate solutions

From AI-enabled advocacy to data-informed project design, women and young people can prototype, test and scale up practical solutions for gender-responsive climate action.

See our approach in action

The EmPower Academy
The EmPower Toolkit on skills for the green and AI transitions - coming soon!