Empowering women in climate leadership: Unveiling Insights from the SHE CHANGES CLIMATE Mentorship Program (Ibitayo <> Laura)

SHE CHANGES CLIMATE is a global campaign enabling women in all their diversity, to lead equitable climate action globally. Since November 2023 I have had the opportunity to participate in its mentorship programme and met my mentor Ibitayo.

Embarking on the SHE CHANGES CLIMATE mentorship journey has been a profound experience, filled with valuable insights from the discussions with my inspiring mentor Ibitayo. This article summarizes the key insights derived from the meeting notes to provide a comprehensive look into the diverse aspects of women's leadership in climate action discussed, addressing topics from career progression and empowerment to collaboration to achieve climate justice.

Meeting 1: A holistic approach to career development and global challenges 🚀

Our initial meeting delved into the foundational elements crucial for career progression in the fields of climate action and sustainability. Ibitayo emphasized the importance of cultivating a strong network, self-confidence, and an interdisciplinary approach. We need all perspectives to tackle climate change (e.g., history, sociology, chemistry, psychology, economics etc.). It’s a global challenge! We are both economists and as economics is a discipline dedicated to managing resources efficiently, from the sustainability point of view, you can learn to manage natural resources.

"We need all perspectives to tackle climate change (e.g., history, sociology, chemistry, psychology, economics, etc.). It's a global challenge! We all need to believe and assure that we have a place in the table."

Some key takeaways included the need to challenge generalizations about people, be skeptical, take ownership of experiences, and embrace an interdisciplinary mindset. Furthermore, the topic of age-related judgment was also discussed. On that topic, Ibitayo asserted that if people judge you by your youth, just try to move forward, do not do less because you are “being judged anyway”. Instead, prove them wrong by doing the best you can and time will tell.

Finally, The intersection of consultancy and research was also deeply discussed, as they are sometimes seen as distant, but they do need each other to provide meaningful and elaborated insights to others (e.g., policy recommendations). As a remark, self-confidence was brought up again, we need to believe that we have a say, which is important and meaningful.

Meeting 2: Navigating the sense of purpose in a skill-based world 🌍

At the second meeting, we explored the importance of a strong support system (e.g., mentors) and the value of transferable skills in a skill-based world. Moreover, different networking strategies were discussed to establish meaningful relationships. Ibitayo outlined that confidence is not pretending that you know everything, but identifying your self-limiting thoughts and overcoming them. Also, you should not forget about being authentic and walking the talk, the greatest leaders to work with are emotionally intelligent.

Linked to exercising this emotional intelligence, the role of mentors was again highlighted. Mentors never fade; they are always important throughout your life, even if you enter the UN and they can always teach you something.

"Mentors never fade; they are always important throughout your life."

Finally, Ibitayo mentioned that women can have very different circumstances than men and balancing life and professional goals can be very difficult. However, you should never lose yourself in the process, you have to keep moving, keep reading, keep learning and make your sense of purpose stay alive.

Meeting 3: Empowering leadership and inclusive collaboration - Insights from COP28 for Climate Action 🤝🏽

The third meeting took place after COP28, where Ibitayo attended and broadened the scope of the meetings to encompass topics such as climate adaptation finance, gender equality, and leadership.

Ibitayo's insights from COP28 highlighted the need for collaboration, dialogue, and the inclusion of diverse voices in addressing climate change. She strengthened the need to remove walls between us, the gender wall, the cultural wall, and even the fossil fuels wall, talking to its producers. We need to acknowledge that to tackle the climate change challenge we need to talk, we need to dialogue and we need to negotiate. Unity is the solution.

Moreover, particularly focusing on leadership, we stood out the need for genuine concern for people, empowering others and generous leadership between women. Your humanity should never be suppressed, be a leader who makes the most of other people, and empowers them.

"Your humanity should never be suppressed, be a leader that makes the most of other people, that empowers them."

Finally, it is difficult for some women to have a foot in the door, which is why making the most of events such as the COP28 is crucial, networking is a muscle that we must exercise.

2024 Objectives: Building bridges and boosting intentional networking and continuous learning 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣

The mentorship journey, captured in meeting notes, underscores the need to challenge generalisations, overcome age-related and gender-related judgments, and embrace interdisciplinary perspectives. Insights from COP28 stress the significance of collaboration, breaking down walls, and fostering inclusive and generous leadership.

Looking ahead to 2024, our shared objectives with Ibitayo are to focus on intentional networking for meaningful and enriching connections and continuous learning. The mentorship journey has indeed emphasised the need to continue navigating the complexities of women's leadership in climate action and pave the way to new voices and leaders.