Female impact for a sustainable future

To ensure that the consequences of global warming remain manageable, it’s crucial that life and business worldwide become climate-neutral. And there’s more to it than that, as Sana Kapadia, Director of Strategy at 2X Global, recently explained in her blog post “Building the future we choose” for the UBS Sustainability and Impact Institute.

To illustrate this, the strategy expert ventures a look into the future: Let’s imagine we’re in the year 2044, at which point humanity has six years left to achieve the goal of net zero emissions worldwide set out in the Paris Agreement. A global, cross-national community has formed to create a more sustainable planet – with business models that include the most vulnerable, investment structures that are more fair, and an inclusive society. In this scenario, climate finance will have kept pace with global needs from 2025 onwards, adding USD 10 trillion in funding every year from 2031 to avoid the greatest impacts of climate change. In addition, the share of gender-equitable climate finance (i.e., equal access to capital) has increased by almost a quarter by 2044, from the original level of less than one percent.

Back in 2019, an international commission of experts concluded that USD 1.8 trillion in investments in five key areas of climate adaptation between 2020 and 2030 could deliver a net benefit of USD 7.1 trillion. Ideally, this target will not only be met by 2044, but will be doubled. Looking at the future in this light, our planet will be cleaner, greener, fairer for all, and with less poverty in the coming decades.

In the end, whether we actually achieve these goals depends on many factors. According to Sana Kapadia, it will be particularly crucial whether the measures we are taking today against the climate crisis are also gender-equal and inclusive. Studies show that a “female perspective” often encourages more environmentally-conscious choices and sustainable practices. The ability to promote sustainability depends on perspectives. It’s about developing and promoting leadership skills based on collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking.

“Inspirational leadership makes the difference!” says Hanne de Mora, based on her experience as an entrepreneur and board member.

Companies and organizations that take sustainability seriously are increasingly realizing that diversified leadership teams are critical. Gender diversity and a diversity of perspectives in leadership positions promote creative solutions and enable a more comprehensive approach to sustainability issues.

The UBS Sustainability and Impact Institute highlights that more equitable access to capital can change the world. When starting a company, for example, women attach more importance to a sustainable concept with a social impact, as a 2021 study by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (in German) shows. That is why it is crucial that more and more women invest capital in the future. After all, if there are more female investors, the potential of these “impact investments” is likely to increase – and thus also the number of female company founders. An interplay with a clear positive influence. It is therefore important to ensure that the financial services industry supports these positive effects and seizes this opportunity.

“Be true to yourself, show passion with a clear alignment of goals and a focus on stakeholders. Bring in positive energy in a balanced way and avoid micromanagement. Inspiration and a genuine interest in people lead to sustainable success.” This is Hanne de Mora’s recipe for success. An approach to leadership that can be learned, regardless of gender.

An open-minded leadership culture is willing to unite different management styles. “This creates inspiration, impetus and impact, from the board to management to the company and stakeholders and vice versa.” This is Hanne de Mora’s “virtuous circle”!